Midles picks up UW's first All-American honor

The first track events are about an hour away at the NCAA Track Championships this afternoon at the University of Arkansas. Hammer throw qualifying was the first event up this morning, and although junior Zack Midles barely missed out on the final, he did earn his first career All-American honor in his first trip to nationals.

Midles placed 13th in the qualifying rounds, and was eighth-best among Americans. Unfortunately, Midles' best throw of an even 210-feet was three inches shy of the last spot in Friday's final.

Midles will be UW's first All-American in the hammer, and first in any men's throws event, since Martin Bingisser in 2007. The Olympia native was seeded just 21st coming into the event, so even coming so close to the final was a bit of an upset. Midles joins his older brother Adam as All-American hammer specialists. Adam earned the honor three times at USC, with a best finish of fifth.

Live video and results are available on the NCAA's site. Seven more Huskies and one more relay are scheduled to compete this evening.