May 25, 2006

FRESNO, Calif. - No one saw this coming, not even the man who did it.  A year ago, Scott Halley wasn't even on the radar of NAIA track & field.

The senior out of Concordia (Ore.) rallied on his final two attempts to win the men's javelin with a throw of 235' 9", highlighting one of three finals events staged during the opening day of the 55^th Annual NAIA Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship Meet hosted by Fresno Pacific University.

Halley, who last competed on the collegiate level three years ago at Northwest Nazarene University, was the pre-meet favorite and was in the lead after 3 preliminary throws.  However, Jeff Buller of Bethel (Kan.) stole the lead on his first throw in the finals.  Doane's Ben Francis then maneuvered his way to the top on his next-to-last throw.  Unshaken by the turn of events, Halley came back from third place to win, retaking the lead on his fifth throw before launching his NAIA-title and U.S. Championship-qualifying throw on his sixth and final attempt.

"It's fun to compete with guys like that," said Halley.  "My goal in coming back to compete was to get the NAIA title.

Halley walked away from the javelin in 2003 after enduring a "hard transitional year and really rough time."  This time last year he wasn't thinking about the javelin or NAIA championships.

"I kind of forgot about the javelin," said Halley.  "I had a good career in technology and a family, but I kind of regretted not finishing out my last year of track & field."

An old coach ran into Halley and reminded him about his extra year eligibility, and Scott landed at Concordia.   

In winning the javelin Halley becomes the first Concordia male athlete ever to win an NAIA title.  Earlier in the day, Cavalier teammate Lauren Sexton captured the women's javelin to lay claim on being the first Concordia athlete overall to win an NAIA crown.

In other event finals competition, Doane's Will Moman became the first competitor in 24 years to win back-to-back hammer titles, successfully defending last year's crown with a throw of 206' 7" today.

"Repeating here never entered my mind because every time I go to a meet, I know I am not there for second place," said Moman.  "To be the first hammer thrower since 1982 to repeat is just gravy."

Aron Rono of Lindenwood (Mo.) capped the day by taking the men's 10,000 meters with a stadium record time of 29:43.34.  Corey Duquette of Virginia Intermont was second with a 29:44.20.

Doane (Neb.) leads after one day of competition with 18 points.  Concordia (Ore.) is second with 17 points, while Missouri Baptist is third with 13.

Friday's day two competition features more preliminary races and seven event finals, including the 100 meters.

Click here to view first day results and live results from Friday's competition.