Ryan McCullough sets school record in hammer throw, finishes second at John Jacobs Invite
Junior Ryan McCullough has consistently improved his career best in the hammer throw since the 2011 outdoor track and field season began late last month.
On Saturday, he threw further than any Chippewa ever has before. The junior from Cadillac broke the school record with a toss of 202 feet, five inches at the John Jacobs Invitational hosted by the University of Oklahoma.
The record setting toss was good enough for a runner-up finish at the meet.
“I’m pretty happy with the season I have had so far,” McCullough said. “I’m glad I got it out of the way and it's definitely something to build on, but I still have a lot left in the tank.”
McCullough’s throw beat the previous record set by Mike Marsh in 2007 by nearly two feet.
“Honestly, the throw didn’t feel that good right away,” McCullough said. “Obviously the results were good though. I’m well on my way.”
In addition to the hammer throw, McCullough also competed in the discus, where he finished fifth with a career-best toss of 169 feet, three inches, two spots behind teammate Alex Rose who finished third with a toss of 175 feet, seven inches.
Junior Kevin Mays also competed in the discus, finishing 14th.
Rose also took third in the shot put with a throw of 53 feet, 3 3/4 inches. Senior John Calvert finished fifth in the shot put with a throw of 2 feet, 1 1/4 inches.
The throwers will be reunited with the rest of the team next weekend as the Chippewas travel to Louisville, Ky., on Friday for the Lenny Lyles Invitational.
