ADA, Ohio (March 4, 2023) – Sophomore Chris Slater represented Denison University track & field on Saturday, competing at the second day of the 2023 Ohio Northern University Polar Bear Final Qualifier.

Slater competed in the weight throw and finished in fifth place out of 18 competitors with a long toss of 16.92 meters on his second attempt.

Slater has broken the Denison indoor record in the weight throw three times this season, starting with a mark of 16.89 meters at the Fighting Scots Invitational (Jan. 21) that beat out the previous record of 16.56 meters set by Bryce Stricker on February 15, 2020. Slater then broke the record on back-to-back weekends with a throw of 17.34 meters at the Bob Shannon Invitational (Feb. 4), followed by his current record toss of 17.71 meters at the All-Ohio Indoor Track & Field Championships (Feb. 11).

Earlier this season, Slater earned the win in the weight throw for four meets in a row, starting at the Muskie Pride Meet on January 14 and followed by the Fighting Scots Invitational, the Wooster Dual Meet and the Bob Shannon Invitational. Slater then went on to put together an all-conference performance in the weight throw with a long toss of 16.56 meters to finish in second place at the NCAC Indoor Track & Field Championship.

Entering the weekend, Slater's mark of 17.71 meters not only led the North Coast Athletic Conference this year, but was tied for 32nd in all of NCAA Division III.

The Big Red outdoor track & field season will begin with the Emory Thrills in the Hills Open on March 24-25 in Atlanta, Georgia.
 
Polar Bear Final Qualifier Results