Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Throwers Earn a Combined Four Gold Medals at U20 Track & Field Championships
7/2/2024 2:53:00 PM | Men's Track & Field
Jake McEachern won the hammer throw, discus, and shotput at the Canadian U20 meet, while Ryan Johnson won the hammer at the USA U20 competition
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University Men's Track & Field throwers Ryan Johnson and Jake McEachern each earned U20 Individual Championships for their respective native countries, with McEachern coming away with three golds as he won the hammer, discus, and shot put at the 2024 Bell Track & Field Trials in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, June 26-30.
McEachern (Lloydminster, Alberta/Lloydminster Comprehensive) first won the U20 hammer throw at the Bell Trials via his 67.32m (220-08) toss, June 27. He followed that up by capturing gold in the discus the very next day, slinging the disc 49.22m (161-05). The rising sophomore capped his performance with another first-place outing in the shot put, with his top throw being 15.93m (52-02), June 30.
The dominant run for the Eagle throwers began with Johnson (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) placing first in the hammer with a 71.06m (233-01) heave at the USA Track & Field U20 Championships, held at historic Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene, June 13.
"These two {Johnson & McEachern} battled hard over their freshman seasons and to see both walk away with a combined four gold medals in the {USA & Canada} U20 championships along with all of their other achievements is a testament to their effort. Both overcame their fair share of challenges during the competition and now get the opportunity to represent their home countries at the World U20 Championships. The level of pride is high right now but we'll be back to work here soon. The legacy continues," said Assistant Coach (Throws), Nick Green.
The accolades continue to roll-in for the freshmen duo as Johnson earned All-MAC First Team honors in both the indoor and outdoor season on top of being tabbed Freshman Field Performer of the Year in both portions of the 2023-24 campaign. McEachern earned an all-conference second team nod in the outdoor season with a second-place finish in the hammer, behind Johnson, with a 61.16m (208-10) mark.
Both have already worked themselves into the program top-10 at an early point in their respective careers. In the outdoor leaderboards, Johnson sits second in program history for the hammer, with his best NCAA toss being 66.74 (218-11). McEachern currently stands seventh in the EMU leaderboards at 63.65m (208-10).
Both also rank inside the program top-10 in the indoor season. Johnson holds the third-farthest weight throw in school history at 22.24m (73-00.00), while McEachern possesses the ninth with a 19.60m (64-03.75) launch.
Still in the youth of their careers, both Johnson and McEachern have already competed on some of the biggest stages the collegiate level has to offer, as both saw action in the hammer throw at the NCAA East Prelims, held at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, May 22-25. The competition saw Johnson enter as the 13th overall seed with his 66.74m (218-11) mark.
Up Next
Johnson (USA), McEachern (CAN), and other current Eagles will represent their native country at the U20 World Athletics Championship in Lima, Peru, Aug. 27-31.
Follow Us
For updates on all things EMU cross country/track & field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, X, and Facebook at @EMUXC_TF.
McEachern (Lloydminster, Alberta/Lloydminster Comprehensive) first won the U20 hammer throw at the Bell Trials via his 67.32m (220-08) toss, June 27. He followed that up by capturing gold in the discus the very next day, slinging the disc 49.22m (161-05). The rising sophomore capped his performance with another first-place outing in the shot put, with his top throw being 15.93m (52-02), June 30.
The dominant run for the Eagle throwers began with Johnson (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) placing first in the hammer with a 71.06m (233-01) heave at the USA Track & Field U20 Championships, held at historic Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene, June 13.
"These two {Johnson & McEachern} battled hard over their freshman seasons and to see both walk away with a combined four gold medals in the {USA & Canada} U20 championships along with all of their other achievements is a testament to their effort. Both overcame their fair share of challenges during the competition and now get the opportunity to represent their home countries at the World U20 Championships. The level of pride is high right now but we'll be back to work here soon. The legacy continues," said Assistant Coach (Throws), Nick Green.
The accolades continue to roll-in for the freshmen duo as Johnson earned All-MAC First Team honors in both the indoor and outdoor season on top of being tabbed Freshman Field Performer of the Year in both portions of the 2023-24 campaign. McEachern earned an all-conference second team nod in the outdoor season with a second-place finish in the hammer, behind Johnson, with a 61.16m (208-10) mark.
Both have already worked themselves into the program top-10 at an early point in their respective careers. In the outdoor leaderboards, Johnson sits second in program history for the hammer, with his best NCAA toss being 66.74 (218-11). McEachern currently stands seventh in the EMU leaderboards at 63.65m (208-10).
Both also rank inside the program top-10 in the indoor season. Johnson holds the third-farthest weight throw in school history at 22.24m (73-00.00), while McEachern possesses the ninth with a 19.60m (64-03.75) launch.
Still in the youth of their careers, both Johnson and McEachern have already competed on some of the biggest stages the collegiate level has to offer, as both saw action in the hammer throw at the NCAA East Prelims, held at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, May 22-25. The competition saw Johnson enter as the 13th overall seed with his 66.74m (218-11) mark.
Up Next
Johnson (USA), McEachern (CAN), and other current Eagles will represent their native country at the U20 World Athletics Championship in Lima, Peru, Aug. 27-31.
Follow Us
For updates on all things EMU cross country/track & field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, X, and Facebook at @EMUXC_TF.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Men's Track & Field
Throws
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