Bishop places 10th in the nation
T.J. Cowell
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: Sports
This past weekend, junior thrower Ben Bishop represented SIUE at the U.S. Indoor Track and Field National Championships. After solid performances all season, Bishop qualified for the event in the men's weight throw, ultimately placing 10th in the event.
Even though he is used to competing at such a high level, Bishop said the experience was a surreal one.
"I was competing against athletes I've only read about or seen on TV," Bishop said. "The atmosphere, the meet, the location were all really great, and I'm thankful that I got to be a part of it."
Mark-wise, Bishop said he felt like he could have performed better. His best throw of the day was measured at 69 feet, 1.5 inches, a score that put him at 10th place for the meet.
Other competitors, who rounded out the top 10, included athletes sponsored by NIKE and some who entered the event as unattached participants.
"I really wanted to crack [70] feet, but it was still only the second time I have thrown over 69' in my career," Bishop said.
Bishop's mark of more than 69 feet would have won him a fourth place medal a year ago at the same event. This year, however, Bishop failed to make the finals as only the top eight athletes qualify for the finals.
Saturday's appearance capped off what was a spectacular spring indoor season for Bishop. During the course of this year's indoor season, few competitors could compete with Bishop and his marks both in the weight throw and shot put.
With the entire outdoor season in front of him, Bishop said he is still hungry for success.
"I'm hungry to qualify for the U.S. Outdoor Championships now, I will try to hit the marks both for the hammer and the discus," Bishop said. "If indoor was any indication, it should be a fun spring outdoors."
Even though he is used to competing at such a high level, Bishop said the experience was a surreal one.
"I was competing against athletes I've only read about or seen on TV," Bishop said. "The atmosphere, the meet, the location were all really great, and I'm thankful that I got to be a part of it."
Mark-wise, Bishop said he felt like he could have performed better. His best throw of the day was measured at 69 feet, 1.5 inches, a score that put him at 10th place for the meet.
Other competitors, who rounded out the top 10, included athletes sponsored by NIKE and some who entered the event as unattached participants.
"I really wanted to crack [70] feet, but it was still only the second time I have thrown over 69' in my career," Bishop said.
Bishop's mark of more than 69 feet would have won him a fourth place medal a year ago at the same event. This year, however, Bishop failed to make the finals as only the top eight athletes qualify for the finals.
Saturday's appearance capped off what was a spectacular spring indoor season for Bishop. During the course of this year's indoor season, few competitors could compete with Bishop and his marks both in the weight throw and shot put.
With the entire outdoor season in front of him, Bishop said he is still hungry for success.
"I'm hungry to qualify for the U.S. Outdoor Championships now, I will try to hit the marks both for the hammer and the discus," Bishop said. "If indoor was any indication, it should be a fun spring outdoors."
Be the first to comment on this story