SACRAMENTO, Calif. ? In the final competition of his collegiate career, shot putter Jeff Chakouian finished in third, to earn his sixth All-American title at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, Calif., Friday night.
The Seekonk, Mass., native made history with his heave of 64-08 3/4, becoming the only UK field event athlete to earn six All-American honors in the same event. Chakouian started the semi-finals with a solid toss of 62-3 and then improved on that toss during his second attempt to 64-3 ?, which placed him second going into the finals.
In the final heat of nine competitors, Chakouian recorded his meet-best heave during his first attempt. The senior?s second toss was like de ja vu of his fouled toss at the South Eastern Conference meet. Though the toss was not measured, it could possibly have been the best throw of his career. Chakouian fouled his final attempt.
?It?s pretty though to put something like that out of your mind (the second attempt),? said Chakouian. ?And then I messed up the final toss, it?s pretty hard to take. It felt like it was yours and then someone took it away.?
Chakouian represented UK at nationals in each of his four outdoor seasons, finishing third last year, taking 13th in 2003 and concluding his freshman year in fourth.
?It was hard competing at nationals and never placing higher than third. I would have liked to finish second or take home a title, but it?s been a special time at UK.?
Chakouian leaves Kentucky with a legacy like no other Wildcat field athlete has ever done before. The Wildcat recorded four consecutive SEC shot put titles, five in all and leaves as the indoor (65-10 1/2) and outdoor varsity school record holder (66-03). Chakouian also holds the indoor freshman shot put school record (65-10 ?) and the outdoor freshman school record (66-00 ?). Of the four school records, Chakouian recorded all but his varsity outdoor record during his freshman campaign. Chakouian was also the only collegiate shot put athlete to compete in the Olympic Trial finals in 2004, finishing seventh.
?I want to thank everyone for supporting me,? said Chakouian. ?From Alvis Johnson (UK Assistant AD) who came to every meet; to my family, teammates, coaches and the administration, it was a good run,? said Chakouian.
Chakouian finished behind Auburn?s Edis Elkasevic, who took the shot put title with a toss of 68-06 and Kansas? Sheldon Battle who recorded a second-place throw of 66-07 ?.
Chakouian will compete next at the USA Championships on June 24-26 in Carson City, Calif.
