BEREA, OH.  5/27/10 – Keene State College throwers had mixed results competing at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Baldwin-Wallace College on Thursday.

Although he was unable to defend his national championship in the hammer event, junior Bryan Kolacz (Brentwood, N.H.) had a strong third-place finish in the talented field.  Senior Dan Colina (Rochester, N.H.) and freshman Glenn Guilmette (Kensington, N.H.) came up short in their bid to reach the finals in the javelin competition.

Sitting in sixth place, Kolacz uncorked a season-best throw of 197'-3” in his final attempt to move up to third.  “I waited until my last throw and put a lot of pressure on myself,” said Kolacz, who also earned All-America honors indoors in the 35-lb. weight throw. “Considering the quality of the field, I'm very happy with my performance.”

“Before his last attempt, I told Bryan if you throw the way you can, you'll bring home some hardware. And he went out and let one fly,” said KSC throwing Coach John Napolitano. 

Eric Flores, a junior from California Lutheran, won the championship with a NCAA record toss of 217'-8”.

Colina and Guilmette struggled to maintain their form in the humid conditions at George Finn Stadium.  Guilmette was sixth in his flight with a mark of 187'-8” while Colina placed seventh with a throw of 175'-7”.

“They were obviously disappointed,” said Napolitano.  “It just wasn't their day.”

Senior Brock Solveson of Concordia (Wisc.) University won the javelin national title with a throw of 219'-9”.

Looking to double in the 800 and 1,500-meter races, senior Peter Najem (Derry, N.H.) got off on the right foot by posting the second fastest time (3:50.99) in the prelims of the 1,500 on Thursday.  He will run the 800 prelims on Friday, and if successful, run in the finals of both events on Saturday.