Bowling Green State University Athletics
Brooke Pleger Named First Team All-America For Second Consecutive Year
June 16, 2014 | Women's Track and Field
New Orleans, La. – The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has named Bowling Green State University redshirt junior Brooke Pleger as a first team All-American. Pleger earned the award after finishing third in the hammer throw at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field National Championships Wednesday. With the six points she earned, Bowling Green tied for 37th in the final team standings.
"To be a first team All-American is a rare accomplishment," BGSU head coach Lou Snelling said. "Brooke has now done it twice and has a realistic chance to earn a third All-American award next year. We can all be proud of the program placing in the top 40 in the country and contributing valuable Director's Cup points to Bowling Green. We are ready for our next All-American to commit to Bowling Green."
Pleger's third-place finish was the best result for a BGSU women's track and field athlete in program history and marks her second consecutive All-American effort after placing seventh at the national championships a year ago.
The NCAA Championships capped off a tremendous season for Pleger. She went undefeated during the regular season, setting new facility records at Bowling Green, Cincinnati and Kentucky. She set a new personal best with a throw of 223-feet to win the Toledo Invitational and defended her MAC Championship in the hammer throw with a meet record launch of 218-9. Entering the NCAA Regional Preliminary round as the No. 2 seed, Pleger finished as the runner-up with a throw of 216-2. Her throw of 223-0 was only beaten by one collegiate hammer thrower all year.
Pleger is one of five student-athletes in program history to earn All-American status and she joins just Beth Manson (in 1988 and 1989) as a two-time All-American. Prior to this year, no Bowling Green athlete had ever placed higher than sixth at the NCAA Championships.
"To be a first team All-American is a rare accomplishment," BGSU head coach Lou Snelling said. "Brooke has now done it twice and has a realistic chance to earn a third All-American award next year. We can all be proud of the program placing in the top 40 in the country and contributing valuable Director's Cup points to Bowling Green. We are ready for our next All-American to commit to Bowling Green."
Pleger's third-place finish was the best result for a BGSU women's track and field athlete in program history and marks her second consecutive All-American effort after placing seventh at the national championships a year ago.
The NCAA Championships capped off a tremendous season for Pleger. She went undefeated during the regular season, setting new facility records at Bowling Green, Cincinnati and Kentucky. She set a new personal best with a throw of 223-feet to win the Toledo Invitational and defended her MAC Championship in the hammer throw with a meet record launch of 218-9. Entering the NCAA Regional Preliminary round as the No. 2 seed, Pleger finished as the runner-up with a throw of 216-2. Her throw of 223-0 was only beaten by one collegiate hammer thrower all year.
Pleger is one of five student-athletes in program history to earn All-American status and she joins just Beth Manson (in 1988 and 1989) as a two-time All-American. Prior to this year, no Bowling Green athlete had ever placed higher than sixth at the NCAA Championships.
BGSU In the Nest : Track and Field
Tuesday, June 10
Lou Snelling Post-MAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships Interview (May 17, 2025)
Wednesday, May 21
Lou Snelling Post-Meet Interview (December 7, 2024)
Wednesday, December 11
BG TF : Coach Snelling Postmen
Saturday, January 13