Sophomore Keegan Digby places 7th, earns All-American status in the shot put at NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships
By Wes Mayberry
GENEVA — Ohio Northern sophomore Keegan Digby (Bowling Green/Otsego) earned All-American status with a school-record throw to place seventh in the shot put Friday at the NCAA Division III Championships at the SPIRE Institute.
"This feels great," Digby said after receiving his All-American trophy. "I've put in a lot of work for this, and I'm really happy to finally be seeing results from it."
Digby is the first All-American in the shot put in school history for men's track and field.
"What an incredible performance," ONU track and field head coach Jason Maus said. "To PR in the national meet and finish in the top eight is incredible, especially in his first time here. This is a fantastic day for Keegan. I'm really proud of him and excited for him."
Digby posted a distance of 16.38 meters on his second throw of the preliminary round on Friday, besting his previous school-record mark of 16.34 meters that he threw at the Mike Becraft Invitational on April 23.
"He came out and handled himself like a veteran," Maus said.
The throw of 16.34 meters earned him qualification into the national meet as the No. 10 seed out of 20 competitors.
His first throw on Friday went a distance of 16.24 meters, setting himself up for his school record-setting second throw.
"I started with a good setup throw on that first throw, which felt really good, and on that second throw, I was able to get after it a little more," Digby said. "I got into the finish a little better, and as soon as it left my hand, I knew it was a good throw."
The 2022 Ohio Athletic Conference champion in both the indoor and outdoor shot put, Digby was in seventh place after the three-throw preliminary round. The top nine transferred into the finals.
He fouled on his first two attempts in the final round before ending with a throw of 16.17 meters, and his top throw of 16.38 meters held for seventh place.
"Those first two throws of the finals were a little rough. I tried to get into it a little too much and was trying to chase a bigger throw that I knew I had in me, but I couldn't quite get there," Digby said. "Once I got to that third throw and I knew I was placing seventh, it was a huge relief to know I made the top eight as an All-American. That third throw wasn't quite the one I wanted, but it felt great either way."
Digby added that Friday's result gave him plenty of confidence going into next season.
"It feels great to have this behind me," he said. "Going into every meet from here on out, it's nice to know that I PR'd at the national meet. I know I have more in me, so I'm ready to get back at it, and I'm hungry for more success next year."
