The University of Akron Athletics
Stevi Large NCAA Runner-Up In Weight Throw
March 15 | Track & Field
University of Akron senior Stevi
Large (Somerset/Sheridan HS) broke her own school record by one
foot to place national runner-up in the weight throw at the 2009
NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, held at Texas
A&M's McFerrin Athletic Center.
Large, who also owns the Mid-American Conference all-time record,
threw 71-6 (21.79) and led the competition until Louisville's Dana
McCarthy threw 72.5.75 (22.09) on her last attempt to edge Large
for the NCAA title. The top throws by Large and McCarhy were both
Texas A&M facility records, topping the previous mark of Sarah
Stevens, who placed fourth, set in February of 70-4.50.
Large, the three-time MAC Champion in the weight throw, placed
fifth in the event at last year's NCAA Indoors (69-2) to earn the
first of her now three All-American honors.
The finish was the best by a Zip at nationals since Mary Varga
placed second at the 2001 NCAA Indoors in the high jump. Large and
Varga are the only two Zips to place national runner-up with
Christi Smith being the Zips lone national champion, winning the
2000 NCAA Outdoor heptathlon.
Also at the 2009 NCAA Indoors, Akron freshman Valerie
Wert (Lexington/Lexington HS) was competing in her first
national championship, placing 17th with a throw of 56-6 (17.22).
The field had a distinct MAC flavor as Kent State's Nia Henderson
placed fifth (66-6.50) and Western Michigan's Irene Cooper was 10th
(63.2).
Large will return to action Saturday, competing in the shot put.
She currently ranks fourth in the NCAA in the event with a UA
record distance of 55-1.50. Also competing Saturday will be junior
Carrie Kayes (Green/Green HS) in the women's pole
vault and Mike McCall (Richfield/Revere HS) in the men's
high jump. Green ranks 14th in the NCAA in the event with a vault
of 13-8.25, winning eight of the nine meets she competed in for
2009 – including the 2009 MAC Championship. McCall, with a
clearance of 7-2 en route the 2009 MAC title, ranks 13th-t in the
NCAA, winning six of his seven meets in 2009 with one second-place
finish.
