Winston-Salem, N.C. – The Elon University indoor track & field team competed in just two events on the third day of the opening weekend of the 2023-24 season Sunday. But it took just one throw for redshirt senior Kaitlin McGoogan to break the program's school record in the weight throw. McGoogan had six throws over 17 meters, but her fifth toss carried 61-feet-9.5 (18.83m) to break Elon's all-time program mark.
 
McGoogan had sat in second in program history in the weight throw after recording a distance of 60-7.25 (18.47m) in 2022. Current teammate Lauryn Carlton held the current record with a throw of 60-8 (18.49m) at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational last year.
 
At Sunday's meet, McGoogan outdistanced every other collegiate athlete. Only Victoria Merriweather, the 2017 NCAA third-place finisher in the event, threw further. In fact, McGoogan was the only thrower to have six legal throws, all of which exceeded 17 meters. She had two throws over 18 meters, including a toss of 59-9.5 (18.22m).
 
Following the opening weekend, Elon will be off for more than a month before returning to action Jan. 13 at the Mondo College Invitational at JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem.
 
JDL EARLY BIRD INVITATIONAL
Elon Results
High jump – 13. Justice Wilbourn 4-10.25 (1.48m), 17. Katherine Faddis 4-6.25 (1.38m)
Weight throw – 2. Kaitlin McGoogan 61-9.5 (18.83m), 12. Amelia Metz 46-5.25 (14.15m), 18. Meghan Coyne 42-7.5 (12.99m), 26. Caroline Niedermeyer 33-2 (10.11m)