FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Michael Bryan triumphed over a competitive field of hammer throwers Thursday at the John McDonnell Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
 
Bryan's throws built throughout the competition as his first throw went for 64.79m/212-6, and he is second throw sent him into finals with the top preliminary mark of 67.72m/222-2. He fouled his last throw of prelims and his first throw in the finals, but he improved his lead on his fifth throw with a mark of 68.31m/224-1. With the win already clinched and nothing to lose, Bryan launched his sixth and final throw out to a season-best 70.33m/230-9.
 
This mark ranks 58^th in the world and maintains his No. 5 spot in the national rankings as he remains atop the American Athletic Conference standings. The throw also landed over nine feet farther than the second-place competitor's mark.
 
Bryan was the lone Shocker athlete to travel to Fayetteville for the meet, while the rest of the squad is set to compete at home Friday and Saturday in the KT Woodman Classic.