FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Senior All-American Richard Garrett Jr. wrapped his final indoor season on Friday with a fourth-place finish in the shot put at NCAA Championships.
This year's Western Athletic Conference Champion and WAC Field Athlete of the Year registered a measurement of 63-11 (19.48m) on his fifth attempt of the afternoon and he matched the best indoor national finish by a UTSA athlete in program history (Teddy Williams was fourth in the 60m in 2010).
The Garland native just missed a top-three showing, as Wisconsin's Danny Block recorded a 65-7 ½ (20.00m) on his sixth and final attempt of the competition to win the bronze medal. Arizona State's Jordan Clarke successfully defended his national title with a put of 67-3 ¼ (20.50m) and Texas Tech's Kole Weldon was second (65-8 ¼/20.02m).
"I came into the meet wanting to throw farther than 20 meters again, so I was a little disappointed about that, but it's hard to complain about being a first-team All-American," Garrett Jr. said. "I've been blessed with a great season and this was a good way to go out."
"I'm extremely proud of what Richard was able to accomplish today," head coach Aaron Fox. "We've only had one other athlete finish that high at a national meet and Richard had a chance to beat that going into the final round. He had a tremendous season and truly is deserving of being an All-American. I also want to thank Coach (Chris) Adams for doing such an outstanding job with him the last four years."
His five points helped the Roadrunners finish in a tie for 40th in the team standings.
It marked the second indoor All-America certificate of Garrett Jr.'s career. He placed 15th in the event two years ago. The 6-foot, 260-pounder also is a two-time honoree outdoors.
Friday's action officially ended UTSA's indoor campaign. The Roadrunners will be back in action on Saturday, March 23, when they travel to San Marcos for the Texas State Elite meet.