Jordan Clarke wins NCAA Championship for shot put

Arizona State University track and field senior Jordan Clarke took one step closer to history on March 8, winning his fourth consecutive NCAA shot put championship at the 2013 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.

Despite not being entirely one hundred percent following a minor hand injury suffered early this season, Clarke dominating his competition at the Randal Tyson Track Center with a winning mark of 20.50m (67-03.25) that was just shy of his season's best in the event. The mark was well over a foot better than his closest competition, Kole Weldon of Texas Tech. 

With the victory, Clarke has now won four straight NCAA titles in the shot put event, winning the 2011 outdoor championship, sweeping the 2012 indoor and outdoor titles before winning on Friday. Clarke now has a chance to make history, as a win at the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Championship would make Clarke just the second person in NCAA history to win five consecutive shot put titles. Kansas' Karl Salb accomplished the feat across the 1969-70-71 seasons, winning six straight. 

Clarke's victory was notable on a grander scheme as well, as Arizona State has now won nine of the last 11 total shot put championships (indoors and outdoors) that have been contested with Ryan Whiting having one five of his own before passing the torch to Clarke - all coming under the tutelage of throws coach David Dumble.

Early in the day, Dumble coached Chelsea Cassulo to a fourth-place finish in the women's weight throw – despite coming into the day ranked 14th in the field in the category.