Dillard sets own school mark in women’s shot put

Dillard shot put — Danyelle Dillard improved on her own school record in the shot put over the weekend. || Courtesy TarletonSports.com

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TarletonSports.com

HUNTSVILLE (May 15, 2016) – In the last track and field meet before the national championship field is announced, Tarleton sent six athletes to Sam Houston State’s last chance meet and three improved on their national rankings with new provisional marks.

Tarleton had four women competing Saturday and Danyelle Dillard highlighted the afternoon with a personal best, topping her own school record, in the shot put – topping her previous personal and school record of 14.42m (47′ 3.75”) that she set at the ASU David Noble Relay in 2013. Dillard launched the shot put 14.57m (47′ 9.75”) to move up to No. 14 in the national ranking, which is expected to be enough to earn her a berth back in the national championships when the field is announced Tuesday afternoon.

“I’m just super proud of Danyelle,” said head coach Pat Ponder. “She did that on her third or fourth throw and looked really good doing it. Any time you can move that far up the list it’s great, but it’s even better this time of the year.”

On the men’s side, Dylan Willett also made his way into the conversation for a national championship berth with a win in the 1,500m and a season-best time of 3:48.58 – which moves him to No. 23 in the nation and has him on the bubble for a national championship berth.

“Dylan knew what he had to do and he went out there and did it,” said Ponder. “He ran a great race and moved up the national list and put himself in a good position to qualify for nationals. I’m very proud of his effort today.”

Tarleton got two other provisional marks in the women’s 400m hurdles from Arianna Stegall (1:01.30) and Kara Bickham (1:01.58). Bickham’s time was a new personal best.

“Those two quarter hurdlers are young and have a bright future ahead of them,” said Ponder. “If they don’t get selected for nationals, then today was a great way for them to end their season. If they do get in, it will be a very pleasant surprise.”

Rounding out Saturday’s event in Huntsville was Deylinn Garrett, who finished third in the women’s 100m hurdles with a time of 14.75 and Chantz Chambers in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.09m (23′ 3.25”).