March 2, 2012

For Immediate Release

Wickham throws for a national record, takes 1st in 35 lb. weight throw

Note to Media:  For additional information, contact Kendrick Clay, Head Track Coach, at kclay@hastings.edu.

(Hastings, Neb.) – The Hastings College Bronco men’s weight throwers continued their dominance at the NAIA Indoor Track Meet in Geneva, Ohio.  On March 2, Gabe Wickham, a senior from Phillipsburg, Kans., finished first with a national record-breaking throw of 21.31 m/69’ 11”.  He is the first HC Track athlete to break a national record.

His teammates, Cody Weber and Garrett Wickham, placed second and fourth, respectively.  Weber, a senior from Hastings, Neb., who competed at Hastings Senior High School, earned his 6th All-American honor while Garrett Wickham, a senior from Phillipsburg, Kans., earned his first All-American award.

In the men’s heptathlon, Jake Holmquist, a junior from Burwell, Neb., finished third overall after a challenging finish to his 1000 m run.  Four hundred meters into the race, a competitor stepped on the heel of Holmquist’s shoe, prompting the Bronco to lose his shoe.  Undeterred, Holmquist ran the remaining 600 m with only one shoe.

Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,190 students. Hastings College was named among “America’s Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report, a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review, and a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s. Visit www.hastings.edu for more information.

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