Syrotchen earns third All-America honor with second-place finish at nationals

From HU Sports Info.
Scott Goode, Sports Information Director

BRADENTON, Fla. – Harding junior Josh Syrotchen earned his third outdoor track and field All-America honor in the discus with a second-place finish Friday at the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships.

Syrotchen, of Spokane, Washington, improved on each of his first three throws and led with a throw of 181 feet, 10 inches after the preliminaries.

Duke Kicinski, a sophomore from West Texas A&M, threw 189 feet, 4 inches with his fourth throw to take the lead. After fouling on his fourth throw, Syrotchen landed the discus 189 feet, 1 inch on his fifth throw to claim second place. Duke Taylor, a senior from Malone, was third at 179 feet, 6 inches.

Syrotchen placed fourth in the discus in 2014 and 11th last season. His throw Friday was his longest at the three national championships and his third-longest of the season.

Syrotchen joined Te Howard as the only Harding field event competitors to earn three consecutive outdoor All-America awards. Howard was an All-American in the high jump in 1987, 1988 and 1989. Syrotchen remains the only Harding athlete ever to earn All-America honors in the discus.