McCabe to Compete in Division III National Championship

McCabe to Compete in Division III National Championship

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass – Buccaneer sophomore shot put thrower Colin McCabe (Dartmouth, Mass) will travel to SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio this week to compete in the NCAA Division III Track & Field National Championships. The national championships are hosted by the University of Mount Union and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. Colin is the first track & field athlete at Maritime to qualify for Nationals and will end an 18 year drought for the Academy as he will be the first since the 2001 sailing team to compete for a national championship.

To qualify for the Nationals an athlete must be ranked in the top 20 in the nation in their event. In the shot put, Colin has climbed the ranks and is seeded fourth in the nation in division III going in to this weekend's competition with a top throw of 17.37 meters. The toss came in the All-New England Championships on April 11th at Southern Connecticut State University which Colin won by a wide margin. The 17.37 meter distance is a personal record for McCabe and a Massachusetts Maritime Academy school record. The only athletes ahead of the sophomore are three seniors, David Kornack (Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (19.38M), Blaze Murfin (Dubuque) (18.11m), and Garrett Garza (Texas Lutheran) (17.39m).

McCabe has competed in nine events this season, winning eight straight to end the season. The only meet he did not win was the first meet of the spring in which he finished second. The two sports athlete, football being his fall sport, has improved his distance nearly every week this spring. At Bridgewater State to open the season he threw a 16.06 meter qualifying throw and has now worked himself up to the 17.37 meter toss, a difference of 1.31 meters since the start of the season, has him seeded fourth in the nation.

"Colin's work ethic at practice and in the weight room, along with his drive, commitment and competitive nature are the factors that have gotten him to this point. We see him improving week in and week out." Said head track & field coach Cathy Lohse. "He is a joy to coach and to be around. To go along with all of his athletic qualities, he is a great young man. We are very delighted and proud that he will be representing Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Ohio."

While Colin's aim is to surpass the three competitors above him, and eighth place finish or better for earn him All-American status. Should he achieve that, he would be the first All-American at Mass Maritime since football defensive lineman William Linke in 1999.

Colin and assistant coach Rob Ferrazzani will travel to Ohio on Wednesday to take part in the opening ceremonies. McCabe will compete in the shot put event on Friday at 11:30am.