Gilly earns All-America Honors at National Championships

2016 Mar 15

Trine's Sam Gilly earned All-America honors in the weight throw with his performance in the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field National Championships Friday afternoon at Grinnell College's Bear Athletic Center.

Gilly came away with a toss of 57 feet, 11.75 inches to place eighth in the nation in the event. Gilly's performance secured him All-America honors in the event for the first time in his career. The senior is the first Trine All-American in a field event since the school joined NCAA Division III prior to the 2004-05 season. His performance gives the Thunder men an Indoor Track and Field All-American each of the last three years.

"Sam and throws coach Amanda Cope have devoted long hours of drills, lifting and other work to perfect his craft, and this award was very well-deserved for the both of them," said Rod Waters, head coach of the Trine track and field teams. "This is a great accomplishment for such a hard-working, humble student-athlete."

Gilly's performance capped off a season that saw him earn numerous accolades. On top of his All-America honors he earned USTFCCCA All-Region recognition, was named MIAA Field MVP and All-MIAA First Team, and earned MIAA Field Athlete of the Week honors. He is the school's all-time record holder in the weight throw.

The last three seasons have seen Gilly show tremendous improvement in the weight throw. He first competed in the event as a sophomore. Since then, he has improved his weight throw distance by nearly 17 feet.