UCI’s Morales Falls Short in Final Hammer Throw

Mike Morales of UC Irvine was right where he wanted to be Saturday at the NCAA Division I outdoor track and field championships.

He had one attempt remaining in the hammer throw, with the championship on the line.

But Morales’ best throw of the day, 215 feet 11 inches, was not enough to catch Scott McGee of Oregon and the Anteater senior finished second. McGee won with a throw of 217-8.

“I’ve come back on the last throw in a lot of meets, so I was confident I could do it,” Morales said. “I just didn’t feel like I was quite myself. I wanted to be a little more relaxed, but a big meet does that to you.”

Morales had the lead at 212-4 heading into the final round of three tosses. But he knew McGee, the national leader in the event, eventually would get off a strong throw.

McGee wasn’t having one of his best days, though.

“I was feeling real sluggish and slow today,” McGee said. “I had to fight for every throw I could get.

“This year has been a new experience for me, being the leader. I probably let that get to me a little today, with the pressure of everyone expecting me to win. But, as any thrower will tell you, it just takes one throw. I got one in.”

That throw came on his second attempt in the finals.

Morales, who finished seventh last year at 209-1, still had a chance. He had the final throw of the competition, but his best effort came up short.

“I knew it wasn’t good enough,” said Morales, a Garden Grove High School graduate. “I wanted to finish it strong, get a good release, and I didn’t.”

Morales’ throw was the second best in UCI history; he threw 216-6 against Cal State L.A. May 19.