Courtesy of Air Force Athletics
EUGENE, Ore. – Recent Air Force graduate Texas Tanner placed second in the hammer throw at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this afternoon (June 10) in Eugene. With that finish, Tanner secured his fifth All-America award of his career to become the most-decorated All-American in Academy history.
Tanner recorded a throw of 75.45 meters (247’6″) to finish second in the hammer throw – a mark just 0.33 meters shy of the eventual leader – and claim his second top-four finish in that event in as many years (fourth, 2025).
The recently commissioned Air Force second lieutenant opened his day with a 67.90-meter (222’9″) throw. He improved that mark to 71.30 meters (233’11”) on his next attempt to secure a spot in the final and upped his overall distance again to 73.94 meters (242’7″) to finish the preliminary round in third. After fouling the first throw of the finals, Tanner took over the lead by unleashing the 75.45-meter throw on his next attempt. He moved to second one throw later, as the very next competitor posted a 75.78-meter mark. Tanner added a 74.78-meter (245’4″) mark on his final attempt, finishing second in the full 24-thrower event.
With today’s finish, Tanner became the fifth member of the men’s team – and first thrower – to claim a medal at the NCAA Outdoor Championships – joining Jim Murphy (5000-meter run: 1964), Zach Perkins (1500-meter run: 2013, 2015), Nick Frawley (pole vault: 2008, 2010) and Marcus Nichols (decathlon: 1996).
Tanner returns to Hayward Field on Friday (June 12) for the NCAA finals of the discus throw. Action is slated to begin at 2:15 pm (PT) and will be broadcast live on an event-specific feed on ESPN+.
