Higley Sets Personal Record of 50' 6" in Shot Put, Moves into Top 10

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Tyler Higley (Sr., Aloha, OR/Aloha HS) took full advantage of his final throw as a collegiate track and field athlete on Saturday, May 9 at the Linfield Open, as he set a personal record of 50' 6" on his sixth attempt in the shot put. With his throw, Higley moved into eighth place on Willamette's all-time list.

In addition to gaining a spot on Willamette's list of top throws, Higley also took over 50th place on this year's NCAA Division III performance list in the shot put.

Higley had a similar toss on his fifth overall throw, but barely stepped out of the ring on his follow through. His sixth and final throw was right on target. It surpassed his previous top distance of 49' 11.75", set at the John Knight Twilight on April 10.

First place and second place in the men's shot put went to throwers for Iron Wood Track Club. David Pless was first at 63' 7.75" and Darien Moore placed second at 60' 10.50".

The Bearcats received first place finishes from Jossalyn Wright (Sr., Aumsville, OR/Cascade HS) in the women's hammer throw and from Elisa Ahern (Sr., Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS) in the women's triple jump.

Wright took first in the hammer with a top distance of 149' 0". She won by nine inches over Brigitte Russo from Lewis & Clark College, who threw 148' 3". Kaeleigh Thorp (Sr., San Leandro, CA/Encinal HS) of Willamette was third at 146' 10". Kelsey Engstrom (Sr., Clinton, WA/South Whidbey HS), also from WU, was fifth at 141' 8".

Ahern's top combined distance in the triple jump was a season-best 36' 7.50". Her margin of victory was 1.75", with Jeanie Mullins of L&C taking second at 36' 5.75".

Higley added a third place finish in the hammer throw. His top mark was 161' 2". Unattached athletes Brian Wickham and Triton Pitassi claimed first and second place, with Wickham landing a throw of 195' 8" and Pitassi throwing 166' 4".

Engstrom finished third in the shot put. Her best throw, which occurred on her sixth and final attempt, covered a distance of 36' 4.75". Ariel Oliver from San Diego State University won the shot put at 47' 9.25", while Dianna Church from Pacific University was second at 37' 8".

In the women's javelin throw, Meka Townsend (Jr., Okanogan, WA/Okanogan HS) of Willamette took fourth place. Her longest throw went 126' 11".

Angela Turpen (So., Alsea, OR/Alsea HS) provided the Bearcats with a top distance of 113' 2" in the discus throw. She placed fifth in the event.