AUSTIN, Texas - Dana LaRue posted a top 20 finish in the shot put, but the Western Illinois track & field season ended at the NCAA West Regional at the University of Texas on Saturday night.

LaRue's throw of 15.89 meters was the best of the 24 competitors in the first two flights, but she was eliminated following the last two flights, earning an impressive 18th-place finish.

Seventeen of the 24 competitors in the final two flights posted greater distances than LaRue, pushing her just .06 meters outside of the top 16 necessary to qualify for the final three throws. The top 12 after the finals advance to the NCAA Championship.

Despite being eliminated, LaRue still won her flight, which included representatives from top programs like Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Kansas, Kansas State and California among others.

In the men's hammer throw earlier in the day, Nathaniel Marshall finished 33rd out of 48 competitors with a throw of 187-11.

He was fifth out of 16 in his flight, bettering opponents from Air Force, California, Oklahoma, Iowa and more.

"This was an experienced group of student-athletes we brought to the West Region track & field meet," head coach David Beauchem said. "We expected to compete well and that is exactly what we did throughout the meet...We fought through a difficult spring, but this group made it through to get their qualifying marks. Once they qualified, they came to compete and did a great job."

LaRue concludes her illustrious career in Purple & Gold as a three-time NCAA West Regional qualifier, four-time Summit League champion and six-time All-Summit League honoree. Marshall will be one of three NCAA Regional qualifiers returning in 2013-14.

"Dana LaRue leaves Western Illinois as a multiple-time Summit League champion, Summit League Championship record holder, school record holder and a 3-time NCAA Region qualifier," Beauchem added. "She is one of the best women's track & field student-athletes in our program's history. She will be missed."

#WIUAthletics