Scott City's Groves earns All-American honors at Kansas State

~ The local standout finished sixth in the weight throw at the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships.

The track and field career of Scott City High School graduate Loren Groves just keeps getting better.

Earlier this year, Groves -- who attends Kansas State -- won the Big 12 Conference weight throw title. It was her first Big 12 championship.

Groves followed up that feat Saturday at the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., as she placed sixth to earn All-American honors.

Groves, who had a throw of 67 feet 6 3/4 inches Saturday, had the second-best throw in school history (68-3 3/4) during the Kansas State Open Feb. 15. That throw earned Groves the Big 12 indoor athlete of the week honor.

Groves, who completed her sophomore indoor season Saturday, will be a junior in outdoor eligibility.

Even prior to this breakthrough indoor campaign, Groves had made her mark for the Wildcats.

At the 2006 Big 12 outdoor meet, Groves was third in the hammer throw. She was also 13th in the discus and 15th in the hammer at the NCAA Midwest Regional.

During the 2006 indoor season, Groves was third in the Big 12 weight throw.

In 2005, after redshirting during the indoor season, Groves finished fifth in the discus and 10th in the hammer at the Big 12 outdoor meet. She was a regional qualifier in both events.

At Scott City High School, Groves won three state titles and was a 15-time all-state performer.

She was also the 2003 national discus champion in AAU competition.