Upper Iowa junior Brinn Grunder is ready to compete in the shot put at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships on Saturday, Mar. 25 in Kingsville, Texas.

This year's NCAA Outdoor Championships are taking place on the campus of Texas A&M University - Kingsville. The women's shot put is scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday.
 
Grunder makes her second appearance at the NCAA Championships this year. Grunder qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships in the weight throw and won the Northern Sun Conference title in the event marking a pair of firsts for UIU since their move up to NCAA Division II. During the Indoor Championships Grunder placed 16th. 

On Saturday, the Northern Sun Conference outdoor champion in shot put will get another chance to perform with the nation's best. Grunder is one of 24 athletes set to compete in the event. Her best throw of the season, 15.14 meters, came at the NSIC Championships in Aberdeen, S.D. two weeks ago. That mark ranks her 16th heading into the event, which will feature two heats of a dozen competitors. Each athlete will have three attempts to move into the finals and earn an All-American honor.Grunder will throw in the first heat.

The favorites heading into Saturday include Desirea Buerge of Missouri Southern State University, Lindsay Baker of Ashland University and Sunflower Greene of Millersville University. All three athletes have throw over 16 meters this season.

Grunder's Shot Put Marks for the 2019 Season
3/30 - ESU Relays - 13.86 meters
4/5-6 - Dutch Invitational - 14.55 meters
4/13 - Mustang Open - 13.82 meters
4/19 - Lady Bear Invite - 14.15 meters
4/26 - Drake Relays - 14.07 meters
5/4 - Dr. Tucker Invite - 14.5 meters
5/10 - NSIC Championships - 15.14 meters