DES MOINES, Iowa ? University of Kentucky track and field thrower Rashaud Scott won the men?s discus National Title with a throw of 199-8 to become the first Wildcat crowned an NCAA National Champion since former Olympian sprinter Tim Harden won the Indoor 55 meter dash for the Blue and White in 1996.

Scott threw the winning distance on his first attempt of the finals to jump from eighth place to first and was able to maintain the lead through the final two throws of competition. Earlier Scott qualified for the final three throws of the day in seventh place overall. The Bronx, N.Y., native?s distance was just two inches off his personal-best throw of 199-10 that earned Scott the Mideast Regional Championship last month.

Scott became the first Wildcat man to win an NCAA Outdoor field event and just the second UK Outdoor Men’s Event Champion overall joining Harden who won the 100 meter dash in 1995.

On his performance…

?On my second and third throw, it slipped off my hand but the fourth throw was much better. On that throw, I just tried to wait a little longer and to take things slower. I knew in my head if I got a good throw that I would be national champ.?

On sweating it out after tossing a winning throw in his first attempt of the finals…

?I was waiting to see if anyone would pass me up and had anything else left in the tank. I was expecting (UCLA’s Greg) Garza, (Liberty’s Clendon) Henderson and even (Brigham Young’s Leif) Arrhenius to have big throws. But, I won, so I am happy.?