AUSTIN, Texas—South Dakota natives Ben Hammer and Zack Anderson wrapped up the 2019 NCAA Championships for the Coyotes on Friday evening at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
 
In his final meet as a Coyote, Hammer garnered his first career All-America accolade. He finished 11th in the field for second-team All-America. His best mark came on his first throw of the competition, sending the discus a season best 189 feet, 2 inches.
 

Hammer will narrowly miss out on advancing to finals, but he brings home his first career All-America honors. He garners second-team accolades in 11th place with this throw of 189-2. ??#GoYotes #WeAreSouthDakota ?? pic.twitter.com/uuQsXwMOZ6

— South Dakota XC/T&F (@SDCoyotesXCTF) June 8, 2019

 
Anderson cleared the opening pair of bars on his first attempt, but missed all three tries at 7-1 ¾. He finished one spot out of All-America recognition, taking 17th with his top height of 7-0 ½. This marked one of the toughest men's high jump competitions of the century, with it being the first time since 2001 that it took a make of 7-3 to score in the top-eight.
 

Anderson getting it started in the high jump competition with an opening bar first-attempt make over 6-10 3/4. ??#GoYotes #WeAreSouthDakota ?? pic.twitter.com/PA8jPhxOeO

— South Dakota XC/T&F (@SDCoyotesXCTF) June 8, 2019

 
Hailing from Dell Rapids (Hammer) and Parker (Anderson), the duo were the only South Dakota natives competing in the NCAA Championships for the second-straight year.
 
South Dakota takes home three All-America honors on the weekend. Junior Chris Nilsen successfully defended his crown in the men's pole vault, junior Helen Falda earned first-team honors in the women's pole vault and Hammer added second-team honors in the discus tonight.