Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Former Valparaiso track and field standout Steve Bartholomew (Valparaiso, Ind./Morgan Township) has qualified for the USA Track and Field (USATF) Indoor Track and Field Championships in the weight throw, to be held March 1 in Boston, Mass.

Bartholomew has already surpassed the qualifying threshold of 65’0” in the weight throw for this year’s national championships on three occasions.  His best toss of the season came Dec. 20 at the Ted Haydon Holiday Classic in Chicago, Ill., where he registered a mark of 66'8 3/4".  He also bested the qualifying standard Dec. 6 at the Redbird Open in Normal, Ill. (65'11") and Jan. 16 at the Mike Lints Alumni Open in Allendale, Mich. (65'2 3/4").

Bartholomew, who is currently working as an administrative assistant with the Crusader track and field squad and is enrolled in the MBA program at Valparaiso University, was named the Outstanding Field Performer at both the Horizon League Indoor and Outdoor Championships last year as a senior.  He went on to be recognized as the Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year after placing 16th at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the weight throw.