Bates College

Bates senior David Pless has accomplished so much in his collegiate athletic career, but until last Saturday's Terrier Invitational at Boston University, he had never topped 61 feet in the shot put.

Pless's (Atlanta, Ga.) new personal best broke his own Bates record, with a top effort of 18.60 meters, or 61 feet and 1/4 inch, exceeding his previous PR and program record of 60-6.5 by nearly six inches. Pless finished second in a 59-man field full of throwers from all divisions, as well as amateur non-collegians. Only Cornell University’s Stephen Mozia (63-4.25) outperformed Bates’ six-time All-American.

The six-time All-American also placed third in the weight throw at 59-9.5, taking third place behind only Reuben Horace of BU and Thaddeus Kusiak of Rhode Island.