Thursday, July 3
Eugene, Ore.
10:00 PM
Liberty University
at
USA Olympic Trials
Henderson Takes 22nd in Discus Prelims
7/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Liberty senior All-American Clendon Henderson placed 22nd in the men's discus prelims, Thursday evening at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field. His best effort of 181-2 was not enough to qualify for Sunday's event final, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Henderson's (Meadow, Texas) night got off to an inauspicious beginning, as he fouled his first of three attempts.
"Fouling that first attempt was huge," the senior admitted. "I then got a bit too timid on my last two throws."
Henderson posted his first legal mark of the competition, a 180-4, on his second try. Then, as the final thrower of the opening flight, the Texas native reached 181-2. The 10-inch improvement on his third attempt was not sufficient to place him in the top 12 and extend his season, however. It took a 197-0 throw to reach Sunday's final.
"Tonight was a little shot at my pride, but the Lord has his plans," stated Henderson. "I'll take this as a learning experience and keep training. I had a lot of fun competing, but for some reason, I just didn't get it done tonight."
Henderson wraps up a stellar senior year of discus throwing, which saw him win the Texas Relays, Drake Relays and Big South titles. He became Liberty's first-ever All-American in the throwing events, nabbing third place in the discus at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Also a first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American, Henderson is the Liberty and Big South discus record holder at 204-3.
"This season was above and beyond anything I could have ever imagined," Henderson reflected. "My goals from four years ago were not anywhere close to what I was able to accomplish this year."
Henderson's (Meadow, Texas) night got off to an inauspicious beginning, as he fouled his first of three attempts.
"Fouling that first attempt was huge," the senior admitted. "I then got a bit too timid on my last two throws."
Henderson posted his first legal mark of the competition, a 180-4, on his second try. Then, as the final thrower of the opening flight, the Texas native reached 181-2. The 10-inch improvement on his third attempt was not sufficient to place him in the top 12 and extend his season, however. It took a 197-0 throw to reach Sunday's final.
"Tonight was a little shot at my pride, but the Lord has his plans," stated Henderson. "I'll take this as a learning experience and keep training. I had a lot of fun competing, but for some reason, I just didn't get it done tonight."
Henderson wraps up a stellar senior year of discus throwing, which saw him win the Texas Relays, Drake Relays and Big South titles. He became Liberty's first-ever All-American in the throwing events, nabbing third place in the discus at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Also a first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American, Henderson is the Liberty and Big South discus record holder at 204-3.
"This season was above and beyond anything I could have ever imagined," Henderson reflected. "My goals from four years ago were not anywhere close to what I was able to accomplish this year."
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