Singh Wins Big 12 Hammer Throw Title

May 14, 2010

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- K.P. Singh won Oklahoma's first ever Big 12 Conference title in the hammer throw Friday at the opening day of the three-day 2010 Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the Audrey J. Walton Track and Field Stadium. Singh claimed his spot a top the award's podium by shattering his personal best and Oklahoma program record by over four feet. After one day of competition, the Oklahoma men sit in second place with 24 points. The OU women did not have any entries in any of Friday's scored events.

Singh's best throw, 215-6 (65.69), came on his final throw, but it was without drama as he had already wrapped up the win, taking the lead on his first attempt and never looking back as he extended his lead twice throughout his six throws. Along with his winning throw, Singh had two others that would have accomplished the task as Nebraska's Brett Suckstorf, who finished second, had a best throw of 203-8 (62.08).

"It feels great to earn the win. Everything fell into place, especially on the final throw. The release was perfect and the entry was perfect," said Singh. "Knowing I had the win wrapped up, I just went after it on the last attempt and I have a big mark now. Now I've got to get ready for the discus on Sunday."

Singh's fifth hammer throw win of the season gives the Clovis, Calif., native a Big 12 indoor/outdoor sweep as the junior won the Big 12 weight throw title during the indoor season. Singh also extended his program record in the hammer, up from his previous best of 210-9 (64.23) that came earlier this year at the Texas Relays.

Singh, who entered the meet ranked 20th nationally, moved up to 16th nationally with Friday's result.

The men's throw group accounted for 19 team points on the day as Justin Shirk and Chad Radgowski finished fourth and fifth, respectively in the men's javelin. Shirk's season best throw of 223-11 (68.24) came on his sixth and final attempt. The throw is the second longest in OU history as Shirk bettered his previous collegiate best by over two feet.

Not wanting to wait as long as Shirk for his final result, Radgowski got his top mark of 210-0 (64.02) on his opening attempt as the senior staved other competitors to pick up four points for the Sooners.

Oklahoma picked up five team points in the opening event of the meet as Kevin Schwab clocked the second-fastest 10,000-meter run in Oklahoma program history, 29:27.90, to finish fourth in the event. In the tightly contested long distance race, Schwab finished just three seconds behind the event winner, John Kosgei of Oklahoma State, and ran under the previous facility record 29:29.53.

The Oklahoma record holder in the event, Jeremy Sudbury, finished 10th with a time of 29:53.60 while Bill Kogel was 11th at 29:57.91. Clay Mayes was 17th at 30:53.25.

After four events in the heptathlon, Claire McConnell sits in 10th with 2,799 points. McConnell opened the day with a time of 15.10 in the 100-meter hurdles, the seventh-best time among the 14 competitors. She was 10th in the high jump at 5-0.50 (1.54) before finishing 11th in the shot put at 30-2.00 (9.19). The freshman ended the day with a season-best time in the 200-meter dash at 25.65, fourth among the field.

Saturday action at the event kicks off at 11 a.m. as McConnell returns to the track for the long jump portion of the heptathlon. All other events kick off at 1 p.m.

Oklahoma Final Results:
Men's 10,000-Meter Run: 4. Kevin Schwab 29:27.90; 10. Jeremy Sudbury 29:53.60; 11. Bill Kogel 29:57.91; 17. Clay Mayes 30:53.25
Men's Hammer Throw: 1. K.P. Singh 215-6 (65.69); 17. Holden Mitchell (Foul)
Men's Javelin: 4. Justin Shirk 223-11 (68.24); 5. Chad Rodgowski 210-0 (64.02)

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