Hillman Takes Fourth in NCAA Shot Put

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Christina Hillman earned her sixth career first team All-America honor with a fourth-place finish in the women's shot put at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships Saturday at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Hillman's best throw of 57-10 1/4 earned the ISU women five team points, putting the Cyclones tied for 36th in the team standings.

In the men's shot put, Jan Jeuschede just missed out on first team All-America honors and team points with his ninth place finish with a best toss of 62-1 3/4. Regardless, it was still the best NCAA finish for Jeuschede, who is now a three-time All-American.

Hillman began her competition with one of top throw of the early rounds, tying for second after one round with a toss of 56-9 1/4. The redshirt senior's next three throws of 52-7 1/2, 53-1 1/2 and 51-8 1/4 did not improve her, and saw Hillman at fifth with two throws to go. Hillman stepped up in the fifth with a toss of 57-10 1/4, but the rest of the competition stepped up, and she was fourth heading into the final round of throws. However, she would stay fourth as her final throw was called a foul. Hillman earned first-team All-America honors for her fourth-place finish, her sixth career All-America distinction and third indoors.

Jeuschede got himself on the board in the first round with a toss of 59-1 1/2. The German made his move up the leaderboard in round two with his best throw of 61-7 1/2 getting him up to eighth. While Jeuschede fouled on his third throw, he was not alone as 10 of the 16 competitors were shown the red flag. However, only one competitor moved past Jeuschede, as the senior was ninth, promising him three more throws.

The finals started out with Jeuschede making an improvement, with a toss of 62-1 3/4, but the elite field meant that he stayed in ninth. After fouling on his fifth throw, Jeuschede landed his final throw of 61-5 1/2, which kept him in ninth. Jeuschede leaves Birmingham as a second-team All-American, his third career All-America honor, his first indoors.

Up Next
Iowa State will begin the 2016 outdoor track and field season next weekend at the Tulsa Duels. Action begins at the Hurricane Track Stadium next Saturday.

Team Scores
Women: 1. Oregon – 53 points; T-36. Iowa State – 5 points

Iowa State Results
Shot Put (M): 1. 1. Ryan Crouser, Texas – 69-9 3/4; 9. Jan Jeuschede, Iowa State – 62-1 3/4
Shot Put (W): 1. Dani Winters, Kansas State – 58-11 1/2; 4. Christina Hillman, Iowa State – 57-10 1/4