Saturday, February 11, 2017

SEATTLE – It was only a matter of time and a very competitive field for Concordia senior McKenzie Warren, who became the NCAA Division II national record holder in the women’s indoor shot put Saturday.

Warren was an easy winner in the event at the Husky Classic, held at the University of Washington’s Dempsey Indoor Center. Her winning mark of 57 feet, 9.75 inches (17.62m) surpassed the former Division II record of 57 feet, 7.75 inches set by Ashland’s Adriane Blewitt in 2003. Warren netted the winner on her final throw of finals and finished nearly five feet ahead of the second place finisher, Brittany Mann of Southern California (52-10).

Barring any additional changes from results over the weekend, the mark is the fourth best mark in the women’s shot put at all collegiate levels and fifth in the United States this season.

“I was really excited to get the record,” Warren said. “I wasn’t expecting it because I wasn’t really feeling it at the beginning of the meet, but after a couple of throws I wanted to get this mark and finally got it on my last throw.”

The performance is the continuation of a tremendous season and career for the senior from Sandy, Ore. A three-time GNAC Women’s Field Athlete of the Week and two-time USTFCCCA Division II Women’s Indoor Athlete of the Week, Warren missed the Division II record by just two centimeters with her mark of 57 feet, 7 inches, at the Bronco Invitational on Jan. 21. Warren was the 2016 GNAC champion in the the shot put and competed in the event at the USA Track & Field National Indoor Track & Field Championships.

Warren will defend her conference crown at the GNAC Indoor Track and Field Championships, which will take place Friday and Saturday at the Jacksons Indoor Center in Nampa, Idaho.