From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics
Emory University senior James Bassen and freshman Daniel Pietsch each posted an All-America finish during the final day of competition at the 2015 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.
The two became the 33rd and 34th All-Americans in the history of the Emory Men's Outdoor Track and Field program, and the first since Alex Greenhouse during the 2010 campaign. It was the first career All-America honor for both Bassen and Pietsch.
Bassen placed fourth in the javelin throw with a mark of 64.61 meters, topping his own school record in the event of 61.87 meters, set earlier in the season. He posted the best-ever finish in the event at the NCAA Championship by an Eagle, and joined former Eagle Jake Wheeler (sixth in 2008) as the only two Emory competitors ever to earn all-America honors in the event.
Pietsch finished eighth in the finals of the 400-meter dash with a time of 47.84 seconds, the second-fastest time of his career. It marked the sixth time than an Eagle has earned all-America honors in the event, and the first since Frederick Linton in 2008.
Bassen's finish scored five points for the Eagles in the team standings, while Pietsch's finish added another point to the team total. Emory finished tied for 43rd out of 77 scoring teams at the meet, marking the first time the Eagles have placed at the NCAA Championships since 2010, and the highest finish by the squad since it placed seventh nationally in 2008.
The meet concludes a banner season for the 2015 season for the Emory Men's Track and Field Team, which including the program's fifth UAA Outdoor Championship, and its first since the 2004 campaign.