SELINSGROVE, Pa. - Susquehanna University sophomore Matt Deamer (Lewistown, Pa./Indian Valley H.S.) earned All-American honors with a third-place finish in the men's javelin at the 2001 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois on Thursday.
Deamer posted a throw of 203 feet, 11 inches during the preliminary round to earn the bronze medal, as Brian Sobolewski of John Carroll won the national championship with a distance of 217 feet, 5 inches and Coe's Bryce Berkompas finished second with a distance of 214 feet, 11 inches.
Deamer entered the competition with the second-longest throw in Division III of 212 feet, 1 inch during a quad meet at Nicholas A. Lopardo Stadium on March 24. He was seeded second at last year's NCAA meet at North Central College after a regular-season throw of 211 feet, 6 inches, but he finished 11th as teammate Adam Ressler took home the gold with a Susquehanna modern-record throw of 221 feet, 6 inches.
Deamer becomes the fifth All-American coached in the javelin by former Lewisburg High School and Susquehanna standout Cris Delbaugh, who has also coached two national champions in his 10 years as an assistant coach. Deamer is also the 33rd All-American for Susquehanna men's track and field coach Jim Taylor in his 23 seasons at the helm of the Crusaders.
