Colorado State University Athletics
Wednesday, June 9
Eugene, Ore.
Colorado State
vs
NCAA Championships
Ram Trio Ready for NCAA Championships
6/8/2021 1:25:00 PM | Track & Field
Eric Hamer, Adam Dawson, and Maria Muzzio Represent Colorado State at NCAAs
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Three Rams close out the season's competition for the Colorado State track and field program at the biggest stage – the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships – starting Wednesday June 9th and going through Saturday June 12th at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
The top 12 competitors in each event from the two regions – East & West – converge to make up a 24-athlete field for their respective events at nationals. For the Rams on the track, Eric Hamer will be competing in Wednesday's 10,000-meter race and Friday's 5,000m. The other two CSU contingents will both be in the discus with Adam Dawson in the men's competition on Friday and Maria Muzzio going Saturday in the women's portion.
Hamer, of Monument, Colo., will become the first Ram in NCAA Championship history to double the 10K and 5K at nationals. This weekend eight other student-athletes will be attempting the same feat with five from the West region and three from the East region. At Regionals, Hamer took eighth in the 10K despite getting tripped up with 3K to go and then grabbed the last qualifying spot in the 5K two days later. This will be his first NCAA outdoor appearance and second NCAA Track and Field showing after finishing runner-up in the indoor 5K a few months ago.
Making his second and back-to-back appearance in the discus at the NCAA Outdoor Championships is Dawson who finished 17th with his throw of 55.16m/181'0'' in 2019, earning All-America honorable mention honors. The Parker, Colo. native made it back to nationals with a toss of 186'3'' two weeks ago in College Station, Texas at Regionals to place eighth.
Staying in the ring, Muzzio, like Hamer, came back for the extra granted year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and made the most of it by making it to the NCAAs for the first time. After throwing a personal-best 56.14m/184'2'' to capture the Mountain West discus title, Muzzio, of Fairfax, Va., recorded a 55.39m/181'9'' on her final throw at the Texas A&M regional site to take 10th and advance.
Coach's Corner
Head coach Brian Bedard
On Dawson and Muzzio reaching the NCAA Championships…
"It's a little bigger stage, bigger stadium and it is the NCAA Championships. Maybe Adam has a little bit of an advantage because he has been there before, but also Maria is a veteran in her own right. It will be important for both to keep their composure and stay relaxed. We will be harping on executing technical cues and trusting the process, but also at this point there is nothing to lose, so don't hold anything back. It's all about the experience and enjoying the meet."
On their preparation for the NCAA Championships…
"They have been consistent in their training. They are both healthy, which is good, and their mindsets are focused, so I expect them to compete well. I think it is an advantage to have a partner also practicing for the same event. There is an enhanced energy rather than being by yourself."
Assistant coach Art Siemers
On Hamer reaching the NCAA Championships…
"Obviously, Hamer had a very successful indoor season, competing at the NCAA Indoor Championships for the first time and producing great results with his runner-up finish in the 5K. It showed his focus and commitment on his decision to come back for this sixth year. He carried that into the outdoor season by qualifying for both the 10K and 5K, which is the first time in program history, so it is a huge accomplishment. The excitement is high at the NCAA Championships and add to the fact that we are at arguably the best facility in the country for track and field. It'll be a fun way to end his storied Ram career."
On Hamer's preparation for the NCAA Championships…
"After Regionals, that double is tough on the body and especially in the heat of Texas. With that being said, I think we were smart in our approach of giving him a few extra recovery days before we did our last two workouts. Sometimes athletes will look really flat in that first one back, but he crushed right through it and looked really good. It really shows his maturity in terms of nutrition, hydration and recovery."
On the field…
"With the COVID six-years, this is by far the best field ever in the distance races and doubles at the NCAA Championships. That probably goes across every event group though. You have people that came back to get Master's degrees that are on top of their game. There are 8-10 guys that all can be in the top-3, so it will be competitive and exciting, because I think Eric is going to be one of those guys. He could run amazing in get eighth. He could get eighth and still obtain an Olympic qualifying mark. However, I know he's going to go after it. He won't be timid and run for an eighth place. He'll run for a top-3 place, because that is the attitude he has and will give everything he has. Friday's 5K is a different attitude. That's kind of for fun. He's just looking to have a successful double like he did in the Regionals and just chase down as many guys as he can. However, the focus is on Wednesday's 10K. He'll have nothing to lose come Friday for the 5K, so it'll be fun to see how much he has left in the tank."
How to Follow
Headquarters - https://www.ncaa.com/championships/trackfield-outdoor/d1
Live Results - https://csura.ms/2THTbIS
Live Stream (ESPN 2) Day 1 (Hamer 10K) - https://csura.ms/3w7B3qd
Live Stream (ESPN 3) Day 3 (Dawson Discus) – https://csura.ms/3w4j0kF
Live Stream (ESPN 2) Day 3 (Hamer 5K) - https://csura.ms/3w7c3PM
Live Stream (ESPN 3) Day 4 (Muzzio Discus) - https://csura.ms/2RClMyM
NCAA Championship Notes
The Distance Double (10K + 5K)
Eric Hamer is the first Ram to do the distance double at Nationals, but also, he is the only one to do so at Regionals as well and he did so twice. In 2019, he finished 15th in the 10K and 16th in the 5K. He did not double in 2018, but he did finish 29th in the 10K at Regionals.
The highest finish from a Ram at NCAA Championships in the 10K is Terry Harrison's second place in 1968. The highest finish from a Ram in the 5K is Chuck DeGarmo's sixth place in 1983. The last appearances in both races was in 2018 when Cole Rockhold placed 11th in the 5K and Grant Fischer took 11th too in the 10K. Hamer is the fifth Ram to run the 5K at nationals and the sixth appearance overall by a Ram. In the 10K, he is the seventh Ram and eighth appearance overall.
Ram Discus Facts
The Rams have had 26 women qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships for a combined 41 appearances. The discus represents the most of those appearance with 14. Counting Muzzio, nine different women have qualified in the event and have totaled 13 All-America honors. The highest finish belongs to Liz Toman's runner-up showing in 2001.
For the men, 50 have qualified for the championships to account for 84 appearances with 16 of those showings in the discus, including Dawson this season. The group has accounted for 16 All-America honors, led by Casey Malone's national title in 1998.
Discus Duo
The twosome of Dawson and Muzzio makes the sixth time at least one female and one male Ram have advanced to nationals in the same year. Last was a trio in 2019 with Dawson along with women Shadae Lawrence and Kelcey Bedard. The other years are 2001 (Brian Trainor and Liz Toman), 2000 (Trainor, Toman and Casey Malone), 1998 (Malone and Shelly Greathouse-Boorman), and 1996 (Malone and Greathouse).
Dawson in the Discus
Adam Dawson qualifying for his second discus at nationals puts him in a group five other Rams that have competed at least twice in the event at NCAAs. The others include Jason Schutz (2007, '08), Brian Trainor (2000, '01, '02), Casey Malone (1996, '97, '98, '00), Marshall Smith (1974, '75), and Chester Cruikshank (1934, '35).
Muzzio's Progression
At Regionals, Muzzio has improved in each of her three career discus appearances from 32nd (2018; 49.48m/162'4'') to 26th (2019; 50.64m/166'2'') and most recently to 10th (55.39m/181'9'') two weekends ago, which qualified for her first NCAA Championships appearance.
Hamer's Progression
At Regionals, Hamer has improved in each of his appearances from 29th in 10K (2018; 30:01.18) to 15th in 10K (2019; 29:15.91) and most recently to 8th (29:13.29) two weekends ago, which qualified for his first NCAA Championships appearance.
In the 5K, he went from 16th (2019; 13:59.51) to 12th (13:55.97) two weekends ago and earned a ticket to his second National appearance behind Wednesday's 10K.
Dawson's Progression
At Regionals, Dawson has improved in each of his two career discus appearances from 11th (2019; 55.20m/181'1'') to 8th (56.77m/186'3'') two weekends ago, which qualified for her second NCAA Championships appearance. At the 2019 national meet, he threw a 55.16m/181'0'' for 17th place.
Student-Athlete's Journey in 2021 Outdoor Season
Adam Dawson | Discus | Personal Record – 57.17m/187'7'' (2019); 9th in CSU History
Jerry Quiller Classic (3/19/21) – 54.11m/177'6''; 1st place
CSU Pueblo Spank Blasing (3/27/21) – 55.01m/180'6''; 2nd place
Jack Christiansen Invite (4/24/21) – 52.99m/173'10''; 1st place
Rock Chalk Classic (5/1/21) – 56.54m/185'6''; 5th place
Mountain West Championships (5/15/21) – 55.45m/181'11''; 2nd place
NCAA West Regionals (5/28/21) – 56.77m/186'3''; 8th place
NCAA Championship (6/11/21) – ?
Maria Muzzio | Discus | Personal Record – 56.14m/184'2'' (2021); 8th in CSU History
CSU Pueblo Spank Blasing (3/27/21) – 49.75m/163'3''; 2nd place
Doug Max Invite (4/3/21) – 50.79m/166'8''; 1st place
CU Invitational (4/9/21) – 53.28m/174'10''; 1st place
Sooner Invite (4/17/21) – FOUL
Jack Christiansen Invite (4/24/21) – 50.31m/165'1''; 1st place
Rock Chalk Classic (5/1/21) – 53.39m/175'2''; 5th place
Mountain West Championships (5/15/21) – 56.14m/184'2'' – Personal Record; 1st place
NCAA West Regionals (5/29/21) – 55.39m/181'9''; 10th place
NCAA Championship (6/12/21) – ?
Eric Hamer | 5,000m | Personal Record – 13:46.67 (2021); 4th in CSU History
Jack Christiansen Invite (4/24/21) – 14:10.67; 1st place
Mountain West Championships (5/15/21) – 13:46.67 – Personal Record; 1st place
NCAA West Regionals (5/29/21) – 13:55.97; 12th place
NCAA Championship (6/11/21) – ?
Eric Hamer | 10,000m | Personal Record – 28:08.95 (2021); 1st in CSU History
Sound Running College Invite (4/2/21) – 28:08.95 – Personal Record/School Record; 1st place
Mountain West Championships (5/13/21) – 29:40.25; 1st place
NCAA West Regionals (5/26/21) – 29:13.29; 8th place
NCAA Championship (6/9/21) – ?
NCAA Championships
Day-by-Day Schedule for the Rams
Wednesday, June 9th (MEN)
8:38 p.m. MT | 10,000m Final: Eric Hamer
5:35 p.m. MT | Discus Final: Adam Dawson
3:35 p.m. MT | Discus Final: Maria Muzzio
The top 12 competitors in each event from the two regions – East & West – converge to make up a 24-athlete field for their respective events at nationals. For the Rams on the track, Eric Hamer will be competing in Wednesday's 10,000-meter race and Friday's 5,000m. The other two CSU contingents will both be in the discus with Adam Dawson in the men's competition on Friday and Maria Muzzio going Saturday in the women's portion.
Hamer, of Monument, Colo., will become the first Ram in NCAA Championship history to double the 10K and 5K at nationals. This weekend eight other student-athletes will be attempting the same feat with five from the West region and three from the East region. At Regionals, Hamer took eighth in the 10K despite getting tripped up with 3K to go and then grabbed the last qualifying spot in the 5K two days later. This will be his first NCAA outdoor appearance and second NCAA Track and Field showing after finishing runner-up in the indoor 5K a few months ago.
Making his second and back-to-back appearance in the discus at the NCAA Outdoor Championships is Dawson who finished 17th with his throw of 55.16m/181'0'' in 2019, earning All-America honorable mention honors. The Parker, Colo. native made it back to nationals with a toss of 186'3'' two weeks ago in College Station, Texas at Regionals to place eighth.
Staying in the ring, Muzzio, like Hamer, came back for the extra granted year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and made the most of it by making it to the NCAAs for the first time. After throwing a personal-best 56.14m/184'2'' to capture the Mountain West discus title, Muzzio, of Fairfax, Va., recorded a 55.39m/181'9'' on her final throw at the Texas A&M regional site to take 10th and advance.
Coach's Corner
Head coach Brian Bedard
On Dawson and Muzzio reaching the NCAA Championships…
"It's a little bigger stage, bigger stadium and it is the NCAA Championships. Maybe Adam has a little bit of an advantage because he has been there before, but also Maria is a veteran in her own right. It will be important for both to keep their composure and stay relaxed. We will be harping on executing technical cues and trusting the process, but also at this point there is nothing to lose, so don't hold anything back. It's all about the experience and enjoying the meet."
On their preparation for the NCAA Championships…
"They have been consistent in their training. They are both healthy, which is good, and their mindsets are focused, so I expect them to compete well. I think it is an advantage to have a partner also practicing for the same event. There is an enhanced energy rather than being by yourself."
Assistant coach Art Siemers
On Hamer reaching the NCAA Championships…
"Obviously, Hamer had a very successful indoor season, competing at the NCAA Indoor Championships for the first time and producing great results with his runner-up finish in the 5K. It showed his focus and commitment on his decision to come back for this sixth year. He carried that into the outdoor season by qualifying for both the 10K and 5K, which is the first time in program history, so it is a huge accomplishment. The excitement is high at the NCAA Championships and add to the fact that we are at arguably the best facility in the country for track and field. It'll be a fun way to end his storied Ram career."
On Hamer's preparation for the NCAA Championships…
"After Regionals, that double is tough on the body and especially in the heat of Texas. With that being said, I think we were smart in our approach of giving him a few extra recovery days before we did our last two workouts. Sometimes athletes will look really flat in that first one back, but he crushed right through it and looked really good. It really shows his maturity in terms of nutrition, hydration and recovery."
On the field…
"With the COVID six-years, this is by far the best field ever in the distance races and doubles at the NCAA Championships. That probably goes across every event group though. You have people that came back to get Master's degrees that are on top of their game. There are 8-10 guys that all can be in the top-3, so it will be competitive and exciting, because I think Eric is going to be one of those guys. He could run amazing in get eighth. He could get eighth and still obtain an Olympic qualifying mark. However, I know he's going to go after it. He won't be timid and run for an eighth place. He'll run for a top-3 place, because that is the attitude he has and will give everything he has. Friday's 5K is a different attitude. That's kind of for fun. He's just looking to have a successful double like he did in the Regionals and just chase down as many guys as he can. However, the focus is on Wednesday's 10K. He'll have nothing to lose come Friday for the 5K, so it'll be fun to see how much he has left in the tank."
How to Follow
Headquarters - https://www.ncaa.com/championships/trackfield-outdoor/d1
Live Results - https://csura.ms/2THTbIS
Live Stream (ESPN 2) Day 1 (Hamer 10K) - https://csura.ms/3w7B3qd
Live Stream (ESPN 3) Day 3 (Dawson Discus) – https://csura.ms/3w4j0kF
Live Stream (ESPN 2) Day 3 (Hamer 5K) - https://csura.ms/3w7c3PM
Live Stream (ESPN 3) Day 4 (Muzzio Discus) - https://csura.ms/2RClMyM
NCAA Championship Notes
The Distance Double (10K + 5K)
Eric Hamer is the first Ram to do the distance double at Nationals, but also, he is the only one to do so at Regionals as well and he did so twice. In 2019, he finished 15th in the 10K and 16th in the 5K. He did not double in 2018, but he did finish 29th in the 10K at Regionals.
The highest finish from a Ram at NCAA Championships in the 10K is Terry Harrison's second place in 1968. The highest finish from a Ram in the 5K is Chuck DeGarmo's sixth place in 1983. The last appearances in both races was in 2018 when Cole Rockhold placed 11th in the 5K and Grant Fischer took 11th too in the 10K. Hamer is the fifth Ram to run the 5K at nationals and the sixth appearance overall by a Ram. In the 10K, he is the seventh Ram and eighth appearance overall.
Ram Discus Facts
The Rams have had 26 women qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships for a combined 41 appearances. The discus represents the most of those appearance with 14. Counting Muzzio, nine different women have qualified in the event and have totaled 13 All-America honors. The highest finish belongs to Liz Toman's runner-up showing in 2001.
For the men, 50 have qualified for the championships to account for 84 appearances with 16 of those showings in the discus, including Dawson this season. The group has accounted for 16 All-America honors, led by Casey Malone's national title in 1998.
Discus Duo
The twosome of Dawson and Muzzio makes the sixth time at least one female and one male Ram have advanced to nationals in the same year. Last was a trio in 2019 with Dawson along with women Shadae Lawrence and Kelcey Bedard. The other years are 2001 (Brian Trainor and Liz Toman), 2000 (Trainor, Toman and Casey Malone), 1998 (Malone and Shelly Greathouse-Boorman), and 1996 (Malone and Greathouse).
Dawson in the Discus
Adam Dawson qualifying for his second discus at nationals puts him in a group five other Rams that have competed at least twice in the event at NCAAs. The others include Jason Schutz (2007, '08), Brian Trainor (2000, '01, '02), Casey Malone (1996, '97, '98, '00), Marshall Smith (1974, '75), and Chester Cruikshank (1934, '35).
Muzzio's Progression
At Regionals, Muzzio has improved in each of her three career discus appearances from 32nd (2018; 49.48m/162'4'') to 26th (2019; 50.64m/166'2'') and most recently to 10th (55.39m/181'9'') two weekends ago, which qualified for her first NCAA Championships appearance.
Hamer's Progression
At Regionals, Hamer has improved in each of his appearances from 29th in 10K (2018; 30:01.18) to 15th in 10K (2019; 29:15.91) and most recently to 8th (29:13.29) two weekends ago, which qualified for his first NCAA Championships appearance.
In the 5K, he went from 16th (2019; 13:59.51) to 12th (13:55.97) two weekends ago and earned a ticket to his second National appearance behind Wednesday's 10K.
Dawson's Progression
At Regionals, Dawson has improved in each of his two career discus appearances from 11th (2019; 55.20m/181'1'') to 8th (56.77m/186'3'') two weekends ago, which qualified for her second NCAA Championships appearance. At the 2019 national meet, he threw a 55.16m/181'0'' for 17th place.
Student-Athlete's Journey in 2021 Outdoor Season
Adam Dawson | Discus | Personal Record – 57.17m/187'7'' (2019); 9th in CSU History
Jerry Quiller Classic (3/19/21) – 54.11m/177'6''; 1st place
CSU Pueblo Spank Blasing (3/27/21) – 55.01m/180'6''; 2nd place
Jack Christiansen Invite (4/24/21) – 52.99m/173'10''; 1st place
Rock Chalk Classic (5/1/21) – 56.54m/185'6''; 5th place
Mountain West Championships (5/15/21) – 55.45m/181'11''; 2nd place
NCAA West Regionals (5/28/21) – 56.77m/186'3''; 8th place
NCAA Championship (6/11/21) – ?
Maria Muzzio | Discus | Personal Record – 56.14m/184'2'' (2021); 8th in CSU History
CSU Pueblo Spank Blasing (3/27/21) – 49.75m/163'3''; 2nd place
Doug Max Invite (4/3/21) – 50.79m/166'8''; 1st place
CU Invitational (4/9/21) – 53.28m/174'10''; 1st place
Sooner Invite (4/17/21) – FOUL
Jack Christiansen Invite (4/24/21) – 50.31m/165'1''; 1st place
Rock Chalk Classic (5/1/21) – 53.39m/175'2''; 5th place
Mountain West Championships (5/15/21) – 56.14m/184'2'' – Personal Record; 1st place
NCAA West Regionals (5/29/21) – 55.39m/181'9''; 10th place
NCAA Championship (6/12/21) – ?
Eric Hamer | 5,000m | Personal Record – 13:46.67 (2021); 4th in CSU History
Jack Christiansen Invite (4/24/21) – 14:10.67; 1st place
Mountain West Championships (5/15/21) – 13:46.67 – Personal Record; 1st place
NCAA West Regionals (5/29/21) – 13:55.97; 12th place
NCAA Championship (6/11/21) – ?
Eric Hamer | 10,000m | Personal Record – 28:08.95 (2021); 1st in CSU History
Sound Running College Invite (4/2/21) – 28:08.95 – Personal Record/School Record; 1st place
Mountain West Championships (5/13/21) – 29:40.25; 1st place
NCAA West Regionals (5/26/21) – 29:13.29; 8th place
NCAA Championship (6/9/21) – ?
NCAA Championships
Day-by-Day Schedule for the Rams
Wednesday, June 9th (MEN)
8:38 p.m. MT | 10,000m Final: Eric Hamer
- One round. One heat.
5:35 p.m. MT | Discus Final: Adam Dawson
- Two seeded flights. Advance best 9 to finals.
- One round. Two heats.
3:35 p.m. MT | Discus Final: Maria Muzzio
- Two seeded flights. Advance best 9 to finals.
Players Mentioned
Mya Lesnar - 2025 Outdoor Shot Put National Champion
Friday, June 20
CSU T&F: Mya Lesnar Post NCAA Nationals
Friday, June 13
CSU T&F: Kajsa Borrman Post NCAA Nationals
Thursday, June 12
CSU T&F Pre-Nationals Press Conference: Brian Bedard
Thursday, June 05