GULF SHORES, Ala. – Zeb Hoffman closed out his short but outstanding collegiate hammer throw career on a sunny Thursday afternoon by placing fourth in the event at the 2017 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships being contested at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium.

Hoffman, a senior from Olympia, came up short in his effort to repeat the NAIA national title he won in 2016 despite recording a season best of 61.11 meters (200-6 1/4) on his final of six throws.

Concordia-Nebraska senior Cody Boellstorff, who entered the competition as the top seed, won the event as expected with a throw of 64.80 meters (212-7 ½). Erik Escobedo from Bethel (Ind.) placed second at 62.27 meters (204-3 3/4), followed by Concordia's Zachary Lurz at 61.23 meters (200-11).

"I'm glad I put it together, it was a season's best," Hoffman said of his final throw.

Hoffman's first throw appeared to land in the 62-meter range, but he was called for a foot foul. His next throw, 57.35 meters, got him into the final round in fifth position. Hoffman's first throw of the final round clipped the right side safety cage before flying out to what looked to be the 57-meter range. Had the hammer not contacted the cage, it might have carried several meters beyond the 60-meter mark.

After clanging the hammer into the cage on his fifth attempt, Hoffman moved up one spot with his season-best throw on final effort as a collegian.

A national championship and a fourth-place finish in his only two seasons as a collegiate hammer thrower is an outstanding accomplishment for the 37-year-old who returned two Evergreen 16 years after leaving the college after an initial two-year stint at the school.