WINONA, Minn. — When Saint Mary's University's
Andrew Brueggen (Holmen, Wis.) steps into the circle for his first throw Thursday afternoon, he is going to try and approach things like it's just another throw in just another meet.
Emphasis on try.
After all, this isn't any other throw at any other meet — this is the NCAA Division III Outdoor National Track and Field Championships.
“I am going to try and not think of the magnitude of the event and just treat it like any other meet,” said Brueggen, who is making his second NCAA national championship appearance of the 2010 season — having earned All-American honors with his fourth-place finish in the weight throw at the NCAA Indoor National Championships in March. “This is going to be one of the greatest meets of my career to date and I want to go out there and show everyone what I can do.”
And what Brueggen can do is throw the hammer — far … very far.
The Cardinal junior provisionally qualified for the outdoor championships in his first outdoor competition of the season, recording a throw of 55.19 meters at the Lee Krough Invitational on April 10.
By the time he was done, Brueggen has pushed that provisional mark to a school-record 56.66 meters — the longest non-automatic qualifying mark in NCAA Division III.
That throw of 56.66 meters was certainly far enough to get Brueggen into the 17-person championship field — a group that includes fellow MIAC thrower Aaron Wilkerson of Hamline, not to mention Cal Lutheran's Eric Flores, who posted the furthest throw in NCAA Division III history earlier this season when he uncorked a throw of 67.31 meters.
“I thought all the huge throws it took to make indoor nationals was crazy, but the outdoor season has been even crazier,” said Brueggen. “Last year, one person automatically qualified for the (outdoor) championships and I was ranked fourth going in. This year, I'm going in ranked 13th — with everyone ahead of me having automatically qualified.
“The field is going to be tough,” Brueggen added. “When you get to this level, everyone is going to be talented, but there's no question (Flores) is going to be the one to beat — he has true skill. I am honored to have him in my flight, and I have a feeling that he will bring out that competitor in me that has been waiting to throw all year.
A veteran of three national championships, Brueggen is hoping those past appearances will provide a confidence boost when his number is called on Thursday.
“I am almost in the same position as I was in for the indoor championships — I went in ranked 10th then and I'm 13th now,” said Brueggen. “In fact, five of the eight guys who were in my flight for indoor nationals are in my same flight for Thursday's hammer.
“I have no pressure on me, I just want to go out and have fun,” Brueggen added. “Last year I was too wound up to actually compete well, but now I feel that I am going to give it everything I've got.
“Just like indoors, I would love to have a huge PR and come home a two-time All-American — and after a solid two weeks of throwing, I'm ready to give it my best shot.”
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NCAA Division III Championships
Baldwin-Wallace College, in conjunction with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, will host the NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championships Thursday-Saturday, May 27-29, at The George Finnie Stadium in Berea, Ohio.
A total of 688 participants will compete in this year's championships — including 42 individuals and eight relay teams from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
NCAA Championships Homepage
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