LA CROSSE, WISC. -- Senior Trine University women's track & field thrower Kara Eck (Auburn, Ind./DeKalb) capped a standout four-year career with a fourth-place finish in the hammer throw on the final day of competition of the 2018 NCAA Division III National Meet hosted by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
With her fourth-place finish, Eck earns All-American status for a combined fifth time in her career becoming the first athlete at Trine to earn the award five times.
Coming into the day ranked 14th in the nation, Eck advanced to the finals with a throw of 176' 0.00" (53.64 meters) in the preliminaries to sit in seventh of eight qualifying distances.
In her first toss of the finals, Eck recorded her best toss of the day at 185' 8.00" (56.60 meters) and jumped four spots into third place. By the end of the event, Eck found herself in fourth place overall tying her best individual finish in national competition (indoor and outdoor) and earned All-America status.
"What a way to finish a stellar career," said Head Coach Rod Waters. "There were some that didn't believe she'd be able to throw again, let alone garner All-American honors after entering the meet ranked 14th. Her fourth-place finish is another display of her courage, dedication and commitment to excellence. Kara will never be replaced and her legacy will live on forever in Trine track and field history. Special thanks goes out to Assistant Coach Amanda Cope for her guidance with Kara's development as a student-athlete over her last four years.
"Kara's performance today capped off an incredible career," said Cope. "She showed mental fortitude that only elite throwers possess. The five-time All-American will be greatly missed at Trine University."
Eck ends her career as a 12-time national qualifier, a five-time All-American, holder of four school records and conference records, a 13-time Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Champion, two-time USTFCCA national "Athlete of the Week, a six-time MIAA "Most Outstanding Field Athlete" award winner and a multiple-time all-region award winner.