Boone, N.C. -- Led by Dominick Dale, a small contingent of Western Carolina Catamounts head home following their final tune up ahead of the Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships from this weekend's App State Open. The Purple and Gold were primarily represented by the throws squad as WCU throwers recorded the team's one top-five finish of the competitive meet as well as four of the top-ten finishes.  

Dominick Dale led the way, taking a fourth place finish in the men's hammer throw thanks to a personal record mark of 46.96m. The sophomore was one of only four athletes to have a throw further than 46 meters on the day. Not far behind on the leaderboard was fellow Catamount Riley Center who finished sixth in the event and was one of only six athletes in the field to throw further than 41 meters.  

Dale also recorded a strong finish in the men's javelin, taking sixth in the event with a distance of 42.38m on his first attempt. He threw over 39 meters on all three of his recorded attempts and was one of only six athletes to do so.  

On the women's side, Toria Roundtree and Sydney Gallant tied for the top finish of the meet as both athletes took sixth place finishes in the women's discus and the women's pole vault respectively. Roundtree hit her sixth-place mark on her third attempt of the day with a throw of 37.97m. Gallant cleared her third height of the day (3.37m) on only her second attempt at the bar, which secured her the sixth-place finish in the event. Finishing right behind the senior Catamount on the leaderboard was freshman Bella Hilleary, who took seventh place in the pole vault thanks to her clear of 3.22m, which she accomplished on her third and final attempt at the height.  

The Catamounts are now hunting for gold as they prepare for the SoCon Championships hosted by Samford. The conference championships are scheduled to run May 6-7th in Birmingham, Alabama.  
 
Top Placements 
Dominick Dale – 4th Men's Hammer, 6th Javelin 
Riley Center – 6th Men's Hammer 
Toria Roundtree – 6th Women's Discus 
Sydney Gallant – 6th Women's Pole Vault 
Bella Hilleary – 7th Women's Pole Vault 
Merkenzee Wells - 10^th Women's Hammer Throw