Sweigart Captures Second at Nationals in Hammer

Anderson University men's track and field senior Michael Sweigart captured second place in the hammer during the NCAA D-III Outdoor Championships on Saturday in La Crosse, Wis.

Sweigart launched the hammer a school-record distance of 62.79 meters (206 feet, 0 inches). The senior from Alexandria garnered United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) First-Team All-American honors with his second-place finish. He earned all-American honors during the outdoor season for the first time in his career. Sweigart also collected USTFCCCA Second-Team All-American honors during the 2023 indoor season and the 2024 indoor season.

Sweigart put together of 57.68 meters (189 feet, 3 inches) to put him in third place after the first throw. His mark was good enough to hang on for ninth and final spot to qualify for finals after three throws. The nine finals participants recorded an additional three throws. It was Sweigart's fifth throw that gave him the second-place finish.

"This was an amazing way to finish my career at Anderson University." Sweigart said. "I knew it would take a lot to make it into the finals and I just barely squeaked in. I knew I needed a monster toss to move up and I was able to uncork a Round 5 toss of 62.79 meters to move to second. I couldn't be happier with a second-place finish. I am so proud to say I competed as an Anderson Raven."

"Michael has been looking really good in practice the past couple weeks, so we knew something big was brewing," Coach Nic Huffman said. "It started raining as the second flight began, so it was tough to get moving with a slick ring. Michael kept his composure and did enough to make finals. The ring dried enough to make some big throws, and luckily, Michael was on the good end of that. I'm so happy for him to get first-team all-American recognition and finally get his 60-plus meter personal record. What a way to end his college career."