TEMPE - The dynamic duo is back and continuing to dominate the west region! The USTFCCCA announced that Turner Washington and Jorinde van Klinken both earned West Region Field Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row. Their coach, Brian Blutreich, picked up Assistant Coach of the Year on the women's side. In Arizona State's history, Washington is the third male athlete and van Klinken is one of six females to receive the award across both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
USTFCCCA regional winners
Washington and van Klinken both won titles at this year's NCAA Indoor Championships, throwing 21.65m/71-½ and 19.08m/62-7.25 respectively. Washington defended his shot put title, while van Klinken improved on her bronze-finish from the year before. Their efforts led to Blutreich earning his 24th and 25th national titles as a collegiate head coach.
This is Washington's second consecutive shot put crown and fourth total NCAA title in his collegiate career. On top of this being van Klinken's second NCAA title, she was just a quarter-inch away from breaking the program's shot put record but did shatter the Birmingham CrossPlex facility record while setting a new personal record.
In his fourth year with the Sun Devils, Washington has continued to leave his mark on the program's history. During the indoor season, and while the conference doesn't sponsor an official indoor championship, he dominated with a 21.14m/69-4.25 throw to win the invitational. He has additionally won gold at all three regular-season meets.
Unsurprisingly, van Klinken has also taken no time with turning heads this season. At the New Mexico Team Open in January, she broke her personal record by over three feet (18.88m/61-11.5), which secured her appearance at the NCAA Championships. She won gold at two-of-three regular-season indoor shot put meets she has attended this season. She also boasts a win at the Pac-12 Invitational conference, throwing 17.91m/58-9.25.
This is the second time multiple ASU T&F athletes have won NCAA titles in the same season. In 2008, three claimed gold: Kyle Alcorn, 3,000 Meters (8:00.62) Ryan Whiting, Shot Put (21.73m/71-3.50) Jacquelyn Johnson, Pentathlon (4,496 points). The Sun Devils now have 11 total indoor shot put crowns - seven for the men, four for the women. Washington has four NCAA titles (two indoor shot, one outdoor shot, one discus) and van Klinken has two (indoor shot, discus).
This is the 4th time in NCAA DI history two shot putters from the same school won titles in the same year, and the first time it wasn't UCLA: UCLA '91 Eric Bergreen & Tracie Millett UCLA '95 John Godina & Dawn Dumble UCLA '96 Jonathan Ogden & Valeyta Althouse.
Throws coach Brian Blutreich is responsible for the continued development of both throwers. He's focused on Washington and van Klinken techniques since their arrival to Tempe and has since pushed them to a collective six national titles.
ASU opened the outdoor season last weekend with nine men's top-3 finishes and eight women's top-3 finishes. The Sun Devils are back at Sun Angel Stadium this weekend to host the ASU Invitational Friday and Saturday.
USTFCCCA regional winners
Washington and van Klinken both won titles at this year's NCAA Indoor Championships, throwing 21.65m/71-½ and 19.08m/62-7.25 respectively. Washington defended his shot put title, while van Klinken improved on her bronze-finish from the year before. Their efforts led to Blutreich earning his 24th and 25th national titles as a collegiate head coach.
This is Washington's second consecutive shot put crown and fourth total NCAA title in his collegiate career. On top of this being van Klinken's second NCAA title, she was just a quarter-inch away from breaking the program's shot put record but did shatter the Birmingham CrossPlex facility record while setting a new personal record.
In his fourth year with the Sun Devils, Washington has continued to leave his mark on the program's history. During the indoor season, and while the conference doesn't sponsor an official indoor championship, he dominated with a 21.14m/69-4.25 throw to win the invitational. He has additionally won gold at all three regular-season meets.
Unsurprisingly, van Klinken has also taken no time with turning heads this season. At the New Mexico Team Open in January, she broke her personal record by over three feet (18.88m/61-11.5), which secured her appearance at the NCAA Championships. She won gold at two-of-three regular-season indoor shot put meets she has attended this season. She also boasts a win at the Pac-12 Invitational conference, throwing 17.91m/58-9.25.
This is the second time multiple ASU T&F athletes have won NCAA titles in the same season. In 2008, three claimed gold: Kyle Alcorn, 3,000 Meters (8:00.62) Ryan Whiting, Shot Put (21.73m/71-3.50) Jacquelyn Johnson, Pentathlon (4,496 points). The Sun Devils now have 11 total indoor shot put crowns - seven for the men, four for the women. Washington has four NCAA titles (two indoor shot, one outdoor shot, one discus) and van Klinken has two (indoor shot, discus).
This is the 4th time in NCAA DI history two shot putters from the same school won titles in the same year, and the first time it wasn't UCLA: UCLA '91 Eric Bergreen & Tracie Millett UCLA '95 John Godina & Dawn Dumble UCLA '96 Jonathan Ogden & Valeyta Althouse.
Throws coach Brian Blutreich is responsible for the continued development of both throwers. He's focused on Washington and van Klinken techniques since their arrival to Tempe and has since pushed them to a collective six national titles.
ASU opened the outdoor season last weekend with nine men's top-3 finishes and eight women's top-3 finishes. The Sun Devils are back at Sun Angel Stadium this weekend to host the ASU Invitational Friday and Saturday.