PUEBLO, CO – Roberts Wesleyan University freshman Thomas McConnelee earned All-American honors with his eighth-place finish in the Hammer Throw on the first day of competition at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Filed Championships Thursday afternoon in Colorado.

Joining McConnelee with All-American honors was fellow freshman Austin Melvin who placed 12th in the Pole Vault to earn Second Team All-American honors.

McConnelee had a pair of 58-meter throws on his first two attempts and then uncorked a throw of 60.46 meters (198' 4") to move into eighth place after the first round of throws and advance to the finals round for three additional throws.

The freshman added a second 60-meter throw but his 60.46 was his best effort and earned him a final standing of eighth place to reach the podium and earn All-American honors.

Melvin cleared his first two heights in the pole vault competition without a miss but had three missed efforts at the 5.12-meter (16' 9 ½") height. He finished at the same height as seven additional vaulters but finished at the top of the group with the fewest misses in the competition.

His 10th place finish earned Melvin another Second-Team All-American award as the 9-16 place finishers earn the honor.

McConnelee will compete in the discus throw Friday and the three Roberts Wesleyan women's pole vaulters with Brynn King, Sarah Ferguson and Karis Kraf will compete Saturday.