GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Senior Claire Caspersen made her fourth trip to the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships another successful one on Saturday, placing fourth in the shot put to earn All-America honors for a fifth time.

Caspersen's best heave came on her first attempt of the competition, 14.47 meters (47 feet, 5¾ inches). That sent the Cairo, Neb., native into the finals in fourth place. None of the 10 finalists were able to improve on their preliminary marks, and Caspersen left the Alachua County Sports & Events Center with a fourth-place medal.

"Like the veteran she is, Claire set the tone from the first throw!'' CSM Coach Steve Gordon Jr. said. "A perfect way to end the championships and the indoor season. Our senior had the final say to end her stellar indoor track and field career.''

CSM finished the meet tied for 25^th with 10 points, its best team finish in program history.

In four trips to indoor nationals, Caspersen earned All-America honors three times, placing seventh as a freshman and eighth as a sophomore. She just missed the podium last season, finishing ninth.

Gordon said Throws Coach Kevin Drwal has done excellent work with his prized pupil.

"Credit to Claire's calm under pressure and Coach Drwal's guidance,'' Gordon said. "They've proven to be a formidable pair during her career.''

Caspersen will look for her eighth consecutive national meet appearance this spring. She has placed 18^th, fifth and third in the previous three national outdoor meets in the shot put.

In addition to two fouls, Caspersen on Saturday also had marks of 13.70 (44-11½), 14.03 (46- ½) and 13.47 (44-2½). Her best mark of 14.47 (47-5¾) was just off her indoor personal best and season best of 14.51 (47-7¼).

Sophomore Sydney Duncan of Indiana Kokomo ran away with Saturday's competition, with a winning toss of 17.60 (57-9), nearly eight feet ahead of runner-up Kori Nagel of Dickinson State (N.D.) University.