North Carolina track and field's Daniel McArthur was named first-team All-America in the men’s shot put with a fourth-place finish Friday night at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Birmingham, AL. During the event, McArthur broke the school record twice in five attempts, and set the new record at 20.33 meters.
What happened?
The redshirt sophomore was the only member to represent North Carolina at the NCAA Championships on Friday and Saturday, but he did not disappoint. After winning the ACC Championship on Feb. 23 with an impressive 19.60 meter toss, McArthur advanced to the NCAA Championship and put up even more astounding numbers.
Friday night McArthur was locked in from the beginning, as his first throw of 20.19 meters broke his previous school record of 19.77 meters, set at the Gamecock Inaugural in January. This was only the second time McArthur threw for over 20 meters in his career. On his second attempt, McArthur did it again, tossing for 20.04 meters.
Then, in his third attempt, Daniel McArthur wound up and threw 20.33 meters, which beat his previous school record of 20.19 he set two throws before.
The last two attempts were measured at 19.68 meters and 19.67 meters, respectively.
Who stood out?
In an event that featured the men’s shot put collegiate record holder, McArthur rose to the challenge and finished fourth out of 16 competitors. The Mooresville, NC. native came into the event second all-time in the UNC record book for men’s shot-put, and by the time the event concluded he was atop the list. His first throw of 20.19 meters put him on top, and by the third throw he improved on his new record with a 20.33 meter toss.
