Bates College of Lewiston senior Noah Gauthier took first place in the men’s weight throw at the NCAA Division III Track and Field championships Friday in Ada, Ohio.

Gauthier’s winning toss of 63 feet, 11/2 inches makes him the first individual national champ from Bates since 2006.

Gauthier was in a back-and-forth battle with Defiance College’s Trevor Matusaz throughout the competition, with Gauthier achieving the winning throw on his third and final attempt of the finals, breaking his personal best by 241/4 inches.