Two graduating SIU throwers will finish writing their final chapters while another will continue to write hers.

Three track and field athletes competed in the NCAA Track and Field Championships at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore. last week. Senior thrower JC Lambert competed in the men’s hammer throw, sophomore thrower DeAnna Price competed in the women’s hammer throw and senior thrower Kim Fortney competed in the women’s hammer throw and women’s shot put.

Each athlete came home with an abundance of accolades to make their season a success.

Lambert, a sports administration graduate from Harrisburg, placed fifth in the men’s hammer throw and was named an All-American. Price, an accounting major from Moscow Mills, Mo., finished eighth in the women’s hammer throw, also earning an All-American distinction. Fortney, a communications disorders graduate from Hindsboro, earned second team All-American after placing tenth in the women’s shot put and 14th in the hammer throw.

Fortney’s efforts in the classroom along with her many throwing achievements earned her three straight Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Team selections.

“When you have nothing to lose, you have everything to gain and that’s what I did,” Fortney said.

According to a press release from SIU Athletics, Fortney is ranked in the top 10 for six of the university’s all-time women’s throwing records.

Fortney’s classmate Lambert graduated as one of the most successful throwers in SIU’s history, leaving SIU as the all-time record holder for the weight throw and the hammer throw.

Lambert said there are a few things he will take away from his experience with the SIU track and field team.

“I’ll take away all the friends that I have made, all the people that I’ve met and all the traveling experiences I’ve been a part of,” Lambert said.

For some athletes, their college experience is much different.

Price, the youngest Saluki to compete at the 2013 NCAA championships, has already had a fulfilling career.

Price went to Barcelona, Spain when she was 19 years  old to compete in the International Association of Athletics Federations Junior World Championships.

Fortney, Lambert and Price are all preparing for the U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Iowa June 19 and 20. Fortney and Lambert will compete in the senior division while Price will compete in the junior division.

Price still has a bright future as Lambert and Fortney both move on from the collegiate level.

“We’re really going to be missing Kim (Fortney) and JC (Lambert), they’re such a big core of the team right now,” Price said.

With veteran throwers out of the picture, portions of the team will have to step up next season.

“There’s a lot of good kids, they just have to throw far,” Fortney said.