Gustafson Breaks School Record, Earns Spot To Nationals In Shot Put

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Jacksonville, Fla. – Redshirt sophomore Aliyah Gustafson threw two personal bests and qualified for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field National Championships, breaking a school record that stood for 11 years in the shot put. Junior Makenzie Wheat also had a strong performance in the shot put, finishing five spots higher than her seed entering the meet.

The top 12 finishers in the East Region and the top 12 finishers in the West Region make up the field of 24 at the National Championships in Eugene, Ore. Gustafson entered the meet seeded No. 19 but took the 12^th and final spot on the strength of her last two throws. She entered the day with a personal best 51-feet-11 (15.82m) but knew she would likely need to throw at least a foot further than that to have a chance at advancing.

On her second throw, she did just that, tossing the apparatus 52-11 (16.13m) and sat in 10^th place with one chance left for each of the top 24 throwers. Gustafson improved yet again, throwing 53-0.75 (16.17m). Although Maryland's Chioma Onyekwere and Alabama's Haley Teel both threw further on the final opportunity, it was enough to keep Gustafson in the top 12.

"All week I felt like today would be a good day," Gustafson said. "My training has been going really well. One of my first warm-up throws was about 16-meters. I was throwing well throughout the week and so I felt good."

42641 — Makenzie Wheat made her third NCAA regional appearance.

Gustafson's mark surpassed the school record of 52-8.25 set by Kerri McClung in 2005 and was the culmination of a whirlwind month for the redshirt sophomore. Two weeks ago, she won the Mid-American Conference Championship by jumping from seventh place to first on her last of six throws. And all of this comes just 16 months after tearing her ACL and both menisci in her left knee, derailing her 2015 season.

"Before my last throw every meet, I remind myself why I'm here," Gustafson said. "I sacrificed a lot to come to Bowling Green. I didn't have my first two seasons (redshirt and injury) so it's important to me to do well and take advantage of my opportunities."

While Gustafson was competed at NCAA Regionals for the first time in her career, Wheat competed for the third time. Entering as the No. 27 seed, she threw 50-6 (15.39m) and placed 23^rd overall. Much like Gustafson, Wheat improved in each of her three throws, climbing from 47-11.75 to 50-3.5, before saving her best for last. It was the best toss of any of her three regional appearances, bettering the 50-2 she threw a year ago.

For Bowling Green, the day continued a trend under fifth-year head coach Lou Snelling. The Falcons have competed at NCAA Regionals 16 times during his tenure, equaling or bettering their seed in 15 of those performances.

Gustafson will compete at the NCAA Championships Thursday, June 9 at 9:30 pm ET.

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