BOSTON, Massachusetts--Seattle Pacific University's Dionna Anderson heaved the shot put 44-5 1/4, to win eighth place at the 2002 NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships Saturday afternoon in Boston, Massachusetts.

The senior from Lynnwood, Wa., put the steel ball well over 44 feet on her second and sixth throws of the competition, the All-America toss came on her second attempt. Anderson finished seven spots behind National Champion Adrian Blewett from Ashland, Or. (51-3 1/2).

SPU Head Coach Jack Hoyt was pleased with Anderson's performance:

"Dionna is the first athlete to compete in NCAA indoor since '94. Before we left Seattle, she said she was going to be an All-American, and now she is. This will give the team a huge boost going into outdoor season."

Anderson went into the meet seeded eighth. The senior will re-join her teammates for outdoor practices on Monday, and will set her sights toward another All-America accolade at the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships In San Angelo, Tx., in late May.