March 22, 2013
TEMPE – The Arizona State University track and field team opened the 2013 ASU Invitational with a dominating sweep of the hammer throw events on Friday, capped by a school record-setting performance from Jessica Pressley of 68.31m (224-01) set back in 2008
The throw is the top collegiate mark this season and was better than any mark by a collegian in 2012. It was also accomplished in Cassulo’s debut in the event as a Sun Devil after sitting out the 2012 season due to NCAA transfer rules after coming to ASU from UNLV
As if that weren’t all enough, the throw was the eighth-best individual throw in NCAA history and the 15th-best throw ever at the NCAA Division I level
On the men’s side, four-time defending NCAA shot put champion Jordan Clarke opened up the 2013 outdoor season in the hammer throw with a winning mark of 64.50m (211-07) to win the competition by over four meters
Clarke was a second-team All-American in the event last season and showed he was up to snuff with his dominating victory that was not far off his career best in the event
Teammate Joe Riccio took second with a throw of 60.01m (196-10) to cap off the sweep
The Sun Devils return to action tomorrow beginning at 10 a.m. PT with the discus throw competition. Field events will resume at 3 p.m. PT following that while field events will begin at approximately 5:35 p.m.