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Mason Finley: Successful summer for Jayhawks around the world

By Stan Unruh

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Mason Finley of the United States holds his national flah aloft following finishing third in the Mens Discus Final during day two of the 16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017 at The London Stadium on August 5, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IAAF)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Mason Finley of the United States holds his national flah aloft following finishing third in the Mens Discus Final during day two of the 16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017 at The London Stadium on August 5, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IAAF) /
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It was successful weekend for Jayhawks around the world. Former Jayhawk Mason Finley earned a medal at the World Championships in London.

While the Kansas basketball team stormed to a pair of weekend wins on their tour of Italy. Mason Finley, who will always be a Jayhawk favorite, wowed the crowd at the International Association of Athletics Federations Championship not far away.  London is currently hosting the World Championships.

In June, the 6-foot-8-inch, 350 pound Finley successfully defended his American Discus title with a throw just over 206-feet. The win earned him the trip to London. This is the 26-year-old first chance on the world stage since an 11th place finish at the Rio Olympics.  As a matter of fact, at the time, he told the Denver Post he needed more work against the best in Europe.

Finley, who threw for the Kansas Track and Field squad from 2010-2012, knew what he was talking about.  He uncorked a career best throw of 68.03 meters or just over 223-feet in London to earn the bronze medal. That’s an amazing throw considering what he did to defend his American title in Sacramento a few weeks ago.

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Finley is a Colorado native and accomplished athlete. While at the University of Kansas, he was a four-time NCAA runner-up in the shot put and discus throw. And in the long tradition of Kansas track and field success, Mason also is a four-time Big 12 champion.


Kansas fans enjoy following Jayhawks competing around the world. In addition to Finley, former Jayhawk Michael Stigler is set to compete in the 400 Meter hurdles in at the World Championships later this week.  It’s a great summer for Jayhawks everywhere.

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