One inch.
That was the difference between Cody Snyder returning to nationals in Oregon and seeing his collegiate career end in Texas. The senior discus thrower from Lake Andes, S.D., reached 180 feet, 1 inch on his first and third throws at regionals two weeks ago, then waited for the rest of the field to finish before realizing his ticket had been punched to the NCAA National Championship Meet at Hayward Field.
"I didn't think I was in after my final throw," said Snyder. "I thought 185 (feet) would be needed to make it and 180 was my worst mark in a meet when it wasn't down pouring. The last guy went and I saw coach Custis jump up and get excited so I knew I was in."
Two years ago, Snyder became the first South Dakota athlete to qualify for the men's Division I national championships. He surprised everyone by taking seventh at the regional meet with what was then a personal-best throw of 186-11, then placed 21st at nationals with a mark of 176-0.
"I was in the second flight of that regional in 2013 and wasn't expected to make it through," said Snyder. "I was just happy to be at nationals last time because I wasn't supposed to be there at all."
Snyder threw a program-record 194-6 at the Bobcat Invitational in March, a mark that ranks 16th nationally. He went on to win his second Summit League discus championship in mid-May with a throw of 190-5. It was his fourth conference title as a Coyote dating back to 2011.
Looking back at his career with South Dakota, winning the three team titles and not necessary the four individual ones will be what he remembers most.
"Every time we won conference, it was awesome," said Snyder. "Everyone is sitting there counting points and running over to different events. I will miss the team aspect of track the most.
"This week will be the last time that I'm on a real team, so it's bittersweet for me. Next year, it will be just me on my own and I'm going to miss that."
Snyder plans to enroll in PTA school (physical therapy assistant) in nearby Sioux City, Iowa, and will begin coursework in the fall. Before then, he hopes to return to Eugene once more for the U.S.A. Outdoor Track and Field Championships set for later this month. He finished 18th at the meet held a year ago in Sacramento, Calif.
"It's a descending list and you don't know who qualifies until the end," said Snyder. "If I make it and can perform well, it can open the door to endorsements that would help pay for expenses and entry fees into other events."
Qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro begins in January. Snyder said the standard to hit will be set around 215 feet.
"It will take a good wind day, but the new track at USD will be really convenient," said Snyder. "We will have four rings set up and hopefully will get a good condition day to hit the Olympic mark."
Snyder competes in the first of two discus flights Friday at 6:05 p.m. CT. The top nine competitors in the standings through three throws will return for three more tosses and a chance to improve their best mark. The top eight place finishers earn first-team All-America honors. The next eight get second-team status.
