University of North Carolina Athletics
Gowda Wins NCAA Discus Title
June 9, 2006 | Track & Field
June 9, 2006
Results
SACRAMENTO, Calif. --- Vikas Gowda became the first Carolina man to win an NCAA track and field title since 2003 by claiming the discus crown Friday night at Hornet Stadium on the campus of Sacramento State. Gowda, the 2005 runner-up in the event, had a winning throw of 198 feet, 8 inches (60.55 meters) in his final meet as a Tar Heel. Nick Owens and Sheena Gordon also earned All-America accolades Friday.
Gowda's mark came on his second throw of the evening and topped Arizona's Adam Kuehl by exactly three feet. Adam Shunk, who triumphed in the indoor high jump in 2003, was the last UNC man to win an individual NCAA title. Gowda ends his Carolina career as a five-time All-America performer and the school record holder in the discus and the indoor and outdoor shot put.
Owens gave the Carolina men two All-America performances Friday. The Shelton, Wash., junior entered the hammer throw finals seeded fifth but used a lifetime best to finish third overall. His mark of 229-9 (70.02m) makes him the first Tar Heel ever to crack 70 meters and adds six inches to his own school record. Fellow ACC thrower Spyridon Jullien of Virginia Tech repeated as NCAA champion.
Gordon made sure the UNC women were also in the spotlight Friday. The Erie, Pa., senior, who was battling a virus and unable to sleep most of Thursday night, claimed second in the high jump. In what head coach Dennis Craddock called one of the gustiest performances he'd seen in his career, Gordon cleared an outdoor season best 6-1 1/4 (1.86m) despite needing ice and water between attempts to combat a fever. Texas' Destinee Hooker cleared 6-2 1/4 (1.89m) to win the title.
The only other Tar Heel in action Friday was Cassie King, who finished 13th in the steeplechase in 10:25.31.
Through ten scored events, the Carolina men are tied for eighth with 16 points. Arizona currently leads with 28 points. On the women's side, Carolina is tied for 15th with eight points through nine scored events. Texas and Nebraska share the lead with 26 points.
Players Mentioned
