On the first day of the NCAA Track & Field Championships, Colorado State University senior Kiah Hicks was named a second-team All-American for her performance in the hammer throw.
She finished 15th in the hammer throw, competing in the first flight and throwing 192 feet, 11 inches on her second attempt in her last meet in her collegiate career. She held on to that spot to end to earn national honors.
“Kiah looked ok today technically, just a little flat,” said head coach Brian Bedard in a CSU interview. “She’ll need to get revved up to get her little motor going to make things go far, and I didn’t see that today.”
The other competitor for the Rams, Aaliyah Pete, was not as fortunate. In the shot put event, she threw despite a back and hip injury, throwing 51 feet, 4.5 inches on her third and final attempt. Her throw landed her in 18th place and out of national contention.
“Aaliyah’s timing was off and she was limping her way through the competition,” added Bedard. “Unfortunately, she missed too much training time because of her back and hip issues. She was injured right before the preliminary round and received treatment, but she’s still not right. She wasn’t able to train and lift like normal.”