University of Memphis Athletics
Friday, June 8
Eugene, Ore.
All Day
University of Memphis
vs
NCAA Championships
Photo by: Aaron Doster/American Athletic C
Vaughn Wins NCAA Discus Crown
Jun 08, 2018 | Men's Track and Field
Program's first NCAA title since 1981.
EUGENE, Ore. – After two nights of All-American and school-record performances, the only accomplishment remaining for the University of Memphis track and field was a national championship.
Well, Luke Vaughn took care of that Friday night at historic Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus.
Standing in 10th place and with the top nine advancing to the finals, Vaughn threw his third attempt 198-2 (60.41m), vaulting him to the top spot and into the final round. In that final round, Vaughn fouled on all three attempts, but no one was able to knock Vaughn from the top of the podium stand.
Rafael Vallery also competed in the event Friday and placed 15th. Vallery had a throw of 177-1 (53.98m).
Tigers Tidbits/NCAA Championships Friday Highlights
Memphis Men's Results
Discus (Final) – 1. Luke Vaughn, 198-2 (60.41m); 15. Rafael Vallery, 177-1 (53.98m)
Well, Luke Vaughn took care of that Friday night at historic Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus.
Standing in 10th place and with the top nine advancing to the finals, Vaughn threw his third attempt 198-2 (60.41m), vaulting him to the top spot and into the final round. In that final round, Vaughn fouled on all three attempts, but no one was able to knock Vaughn from the top of the podium stand.
Rafael Vallery also competed in the event Friday and placed 15th. Vallery had a throw of 177-1 (53.98m).
Tigers Tidbits/NCAA Championships Friday Highlights
- Luke Vaughn's NCAA crown is Memphis track and field's first since 1981 when Terron Wright placed first in the 60-yard hurdles.
- Vaughn's NCAA title is the program's first in a throws event.
- Vaughn is only the sixth athlete in Memphis track and field history to claim an NCAA title. In addition to Wright's crown in 1981, the 1973 men's 440-yard relay (Ed Hammonds, Lynn Fox, Maurice Knight, Ed Taylor) won the NCAA title. Hammonds also won the 100-yard dash at the same 1973 NCAA Championships.
- Vaughn is the first University of Memphis student-athlete – all Tigers sports teams – to win an NCAA crown since 2005. That year, Beth Tidmore of the Memphis rifle team won the NCAA air rifle championship.
- With his performance, Vaughn earned United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-America first team honors. It is the first All-America first team accolade of his career.
- Overall, it is Vaughn's third All-America recognition. He earned USTFCCCA All-America second team distinction in 2014 and 2015.
- Earlier this season, Vaughn set the school record in the men's discus (204-0; 62.18m) at the Mt. SAC Relays and also won the American Athletic Conference title in the event.
- Rafael Vallery earned USTFCCCA All-America second team accolades with his 15th-place performance. It is the first All-America honor of his career.
- Vallery was making his first trip to the NCAA Championships this week.
Memphis Men's Results
Discus (Final) – 1. Luke Vaughn, 198-2 (60.41m); 15. Rafael Vallery, 177-1 (53.98m)
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
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