>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

By The Observer

OSHKOSH, Wis. April Haneys second throw Saturday broke her Eastern Oregon shot put record.

Haney finished third Saturday in the womens shot put at the NCAA Division III National Indoor Track and Field Championships, throwing a personal-best 45 feet, 7 inches.

Haney had three throws longer than 45 feet, coach John Spatz said.

She was really pretty consistent, Spatz said.

The top-six finish was her 12th All-American performance in four years at Eastern. Haney, a Union native, was fourth Friday in the 20-pound weight throw, with teammate Leah Merrell finishing sixth in that event.

Friday night, Haney was named the Division III West Region Female Athlete of the Year.

A week prior, Haney was third in the shot put at the NAIA national meet in Johnson City, Tenn. Her best throw there was 44-11. Haney also won the national title in the weight throw at that meet.

As a team, Eastern was tied for 12th at the NCAA meet with 11 points.

Spatz was named the Division III West Region Mens and Womens Coach of the Year. That came a week after the NAIA honored him as the Region I Coach of the Year.