Perkins graduate Matt Hoty was among seven athletes from Tennessee to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Hoty followed his indoor qualification in the men’s shot put with a trip to nationals outdoors. The first-year performer, though, made it by the slimmest of margins, punching out a throw of 59-10 1/2 on his first attempt that withstood the next five rounds of throws from his competitors. We wound up with the 12th and final qualifying spot.

“The first throw, I came out and said `I’m going to give it what I’ve got,’ and I hung on from there,” Hoty said. “I don’t think I’ve ever thrown my best throw with my first attempt, so it was kind of nerve-racking holding on the entire time.”


Hoty earned second team All-American honors in the event during the indoor season.