Eugene Bound! Wade Shomper Earns Bid to NCAA National Championships

Wednesday, May 27

Lexington, Ky.

10 a.m.

Bucknell University

NCAA East First Round

Photo by: Reily Rogers

Eugene Bound! Wade Shomper Earns Bid to NCAA National Championships

5/27/2026 9:24:00 PM | Men's Track and Field

LEXINGTON, Ky.- Senior Wade Shomper entered the NCAA East First Round knowing two things: he needed a personal record to advance to the NCAA National Championships, and he believed he could do it. He walked into the circle seeded 24th and emerged in sixth place with a personal record, a school record, and a trip to Eugene.

Results

"It feels great," Shomper said. "I just feel awesome. Ever since the warm-ups I knew I was going to be in the mix but I'm happy I was able to execute and get my ticket punched."

Shomper's second throw achieved the desired outcome. He confidently stalked into the circle, positioned himself, launched his practiced oiled glide, and unleashed the throw. The heavy ball sailed through the warm evening air and plopped into the sand. The Bucknell contingent waited with cautious breath and frantically refreshed the results page. The mark appeared: 18.94m (62-1.75), moving Shomper from 16th to fifth and virtually guaranteeing his entry into the National Championships.

"I knew I threw a PR," Shomper explained. "As soon as I got out of the back, I could feel it. The ball didn't even leave my hand before I knew it was going to be a PR. I think I just told myself that I had all the training behind me, all the reps. I had a really good week in practice, a really good pre-meet yesterday in the rain. So I told myself I have the ability to be in the mix. I deserve to go to Oregon."

The Bison senior started strong with a first round toss of 18.25m (59-10.50), that positioned him at 16th and within striking distance of the top 12 - a range needed to make the National Championships. He wanted more and found it on the second chance.

His third and final throw traveled 17.36m (56-11.50). It was a solid mark, but by then it hardly mattered. Even after slipping one spot to sixth, Shomper's place in Eugene was secure.

Shomper developed a reputation for shining under the brightest lights. He set personal and school records at the elite Raleigh Relays, the Patriot League Outdoor Championships, and now the NCAA East First Round.

"I think just competing with the top pushes you to go further," Shomper reasoned. "You know you have to hit a big pro if you want to be in the mix. So, yeah, just being able to compete with the best and best pushes everybody."

Shomper made history for the Bucknell men's program, obtaining a number of firsts. He earned the first trip to Eugene since 2013 when hammer thrower Leonard Joseph made the trip. Sixth place marks the highest finish for a Bucknell shot putter, surpassing Timothy Medlock's 32nd in 2009, and tying Ted Heitzman's (javelin) placement in 2011.

Throws coach Ryan Protzman added another bullet point to his already loaded resume by sending a second thrower in his tenure to Eugene.

"It's hard to put it into words," Protzman said. "Obviously, going into this day, you think this could be the last day. So I'm just happy for Wade. He deserves it. He's shown up for the last four years and outworks everyone. He sets a tone for the team. It shows this is possible. It's not going to be easy. He took a tough road to get here. But every day of work, all the frustration, the good days and bad days — today makes it worth it."

The NCAA National Championships will be held June 10-13 in Eugene, Oregon.