Sweigart Finishes 10th in Weight Throw in Indoor Nationals

Anderson University men's track and field senior Michael Sweigart finished 10th place in the weight throw in the NCAA D-III Indoor Championships on Friday at Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y.

Sweigart put together a throw of 18.63 meters (61 feet, 1.5 inches). The Alexandria native earned United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Second-Team All-American honors by finishing in the top 16. He repeats as a second-team all-American after placing ninth in the weight throw at indoor nationals last season.

Sweigart missed the top 9 cut for weight throw finals by just 0.02 meters (0.75 inches).

"I came into [Friday] with my groin hurting and I wasn't able to put together my best throws," Sweigart said. "I was close, but couldn't get the job done. I'm happy to get second-team all-American, but I wanted more."

"Michael was sick when we arrived and he tweaked his groin in practice," Coach Nic Huffman said. "He looked really sharp with technique, and put a throw out there to make finals. But, the last thrower on his last throw had a huge lifetime best to knock him out of finals. It was really tough to see, knowing he is capable and ready.

"Michael has put in so much time, energy and effort through these past four years. I'm really proud of him. As a competitor, I really hate this outcome for him. As a coach, he responded really well and took the disappointment on the chin. Michael is a champion in my eyes. Being a champion is a way of life with a certain confidence, focus, attitude and discipline, and he lives that life."

Anderson kicks off the outdoor season in the two-day IWU Polar Bear Classic, beginning on Friday, March 21 at 12 p.m. in Marion.