ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Linfield University throwers Matt Metcalf, Zach Young and Jacob Slifka on Thursday competed hard but nonetheless fell short of their goals of achieving All-America acclaim on the opening day of the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships on the campus of St. John Fisher University.
 
"While all three of our national competitors didn't reach their goal of becoming an All-American, I'm still very proud of what they have accomplished this year," praised Wildcats coach Travis Olson.
 
Metcalf, making his second NCAA Championships appearance, threw 189 feet, 1 inch in the men's javelin to place 15th.
 
Competing in the national meet for the first time, Wildcats sophomore Zach Young tossed the javelin 183-1 to place 17th overall.
 
Will Lawrence of Wisconsin-Platteville captured the Division III javelin championship. His mark of 236-8 topped the top effort of Greg Poloso of Rowan, who finished second with a mark of 227-9.
 
In the discus, first-time NCAA meet competitor Jacob Slika placed 16th in a field of 22 challengers. His mark of 154-0 came up short of his personal best of 164-8¾ set earlier this spring. Steven Hermsen of Carroll (Wis.) won the event with a heave of 186-5.
 
All three Wildcats recorded career best efforts this spring. Slifka completes his junior season ranking No. 3 all-time at Linfield in the discus. Metcalf concludes his career ranking No. 4 and Young is No. 6 on Linfield's list of all-time best javelin marks.