EUGENE, Ore. -Â Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Matthew McClintock wrapped up the men's outdoor track and field season on Wednesday afternoon. Both men brought home the first outdoor First Team All-America honors of their careers.
Enekwechi opened the day with the hammer throw. The junior, who has qualified for the event all three years of his career, had to come out of the first flight to make finals, a feat accomplished by just two individuals, including Enekwechi. On his second attempt, the Laurelton, New York, native threw a mark of 68.42 meters (224-6), which put him in first place in the flight. He would finish the first flight with the lead, and then had to sit back for over an hour to find out if he would advance and in what place.
Enekwechi entered finals in fifth place, but was unable to improve upon the mark from his second throw. His mark held on for sixth place overall and earned him three points for the men's side. Enekwechi's finish is a five-spot improvement for him from last season's championships and his first First Team All-American honor for the outdoor season. He previous had picked up three Second Team All-America honors for the outdoor season, including two in the hammer throw.
But, his day was not done. He would be back competing a little less than three hours later with the men's shot put. There, he finished with a mark of 18.43m (60-5.75) to take 22nd place and earn Honorable Mention honors. Enekwechi was one of just three individuals to compete in the men's hammer and shot put on Friday. Among that group, he was one of just two to score in either event and finished with more points than the other two combined.
McClintock wrapped up the day for the Boilermakers with the 10,000-meter run. The junior NCAA East Preliminary Rounds champion and Big Ten runner-up was patient throughout the race. He hung back in the middle of the pack, mostly between fifth and 10th place. With about five laps left in the race, McClintock started to make his move and took the lead among the secondary pack, sitting in fifth place. He held that spot to the bell lap where the entire field turned on its final gear. McClintock held on for seventh place and a First Team All-America honor in his first NCAA Track and Field Championship, indoors or out. The two-time cross country All-American was the top Big Ten finisher, as he turned in a time of 29:16.57 to score two points.
"I just came out and raced and did what I thought I could do all year long," McClintock said. "It's what I've been working for all year. So, I guess it really wasn't that big of a surprise for me, but I'm happy. I thought I could finish in the top eight and I did."
The men finish the NCAA Championships with five points. That total currently sits in a tie for 17th place, though the men's championship still has another day of competition.
The Purdue women open their championships on Thursday. The 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay and Devynne Charlton in the 100m hurdles are scheduled for Thursday. Savannah Carson, Carmiesha Cox, Charlton and Brionna Thomas will open the meet for Purdue with the 4x100m relay at 7 p.m. ET.
Â