Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: HowLaophotography
Evelyn Bliss Selected for Olympic Trials; Competes on Friday
6/25/2024 11:36:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Evelyn Bliss continues her historical freshman year by competing this Friday in the United States Olympic Trials. The first-year phenom will attempt to represent America in the 2024 Paris Olympics in the javelin throw.Â
What: The United States Olympic Trials
Where: Eugene, Ore. (Hayward Field)
When: June 28th at 7 PM (ET)
Watch: Peacock ($)
Follow: Live Results
The competition takes place in Eugene, Ore. at the prestigious and colossal Hayward Field, the Track Town USAÂ of American track & field. The venue is not unfamiliar for Bliss as she threw there for the NCAA National Championships and the USA Women's Track & Field Under-20 Championships.Â
"Hayward Field is so amazing," said Bliss. "Every time you walk in it takes your breath away. However, I think my favorite part is when you are escorted out onto the field. You walk out through a tunnel onto the track and the stands are filled with people yelling and cheering for you. Races are going on around you and you can feel the place buzzing with energy and Hayward Magic."
All competitors will receive three attempts in Friday's trials with the top 12 advancing to the Final on Sunday, June 30 at 7:10pm ET where the competition will restart with three preliminary throws and the top eight will receive three more throws in the Final. The top three, who also have the Olympic Standard mark, will represent the United States this summer. 24 athletes will be competing and the full list can be seen here.
Bliss is not Bucknell's first Olympic Trials qualifier. Javelin thrower Maura Fiamoncini finished seventh in 2021. Bliss has represented America before in international competitions but the thrill of throwing for the Star Spangled Banner never fades for her.
"Having the chance to represent America on a stage this big would mean so much to me. I was honored to represent the Red, White, and Blue last year at the Pan-Am games and there is nothing like putting on that USA uniform. So if I get the chance I would be honored, grateful, and blessed to be a part of something bigger than myself."
Beyond representing America on the world stage, Bliss's success had led to Bucknell's name being splashed across ESPN screens. Her orange jersey blazoned with Bucknell across the chest proudly stood out at the NCAA National Championships and Bison denizens could argue it shone the brightest among the rainbow of hues.Â
"Even though this is my first year representing the Orange and the Blue, it has become a second family to me. Between my teammates and coaches, my professors and alumni, the support I have is overwhelming. I have received many emails and letters from everyone with support and well wishes. Getting to represent Bucknell on a stage this big is extremely important to me. I'm so excited and want to make Bucknell and my family proud. This experience is one of a kind, I'm one of the youngest in my field and am looking to gain the experience of competing in these big meets to hopefully make it back to the Olympic Trials in 2028."
Bliss's 2024 outdoor season has been one of Bucknell's finest campaigns as the freshman thrower has written herself into Bison lore. She opened her career at the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational, finishing second throwing 173-9 feet. The mark ranks second in Bucknell history and remains Bliss's highest mark. She then finished the regular season with three straight wins at the always competitive Colonial Invite, the massive Bison Outdoor Classic, and the respected Bucknell Team Challenge.Â
The winning did not halt with the conclusion of the regular season. Bliss won gold at the Patriot League Outdoor Championships by throwing 171-11, outpacing the second-place finisher by over nine feet. The result earned Bliss the Rookie of the Meet Award, the first Bison to do so since Efe Agege in 2015. Success continued with second place and All-East honors at the 2024 ECAC Championships.Â
Bliss qualified for the NCAA East Preliminaries as the fifth seed and lived up to the billing. Her 170-10 throw finished fifth and unlocked a slot in the NCAA National Championships. She became the fifth Bison women to compete in the National Championships and the first since Fiamoncini tossed in 2021. She followed in Fiamoncini's footsteps by finishing 13th (the same as Fiamoncini did in her first National Championship). Her 173-1 toss gained a Second Team All-America slot, christening Bliss as Bucknell women's fourth All-American in outdoor track & field. It marked the first time a Bison lady won All-America honors since Fiamoncini won First Team laurels in 2021 when she placed third.Â
The latest competition for the tireless thrower occurred on June 12 in the USA Women's Track & Field U20 Championships. Bliss repeated as the javelin champion for the second consecutive season, throwing for 168-1 feet. She will represent America in the World Athletics U20 World Championships in Lima, Peru.Â
The freshman has been competing at a breakneck pace over the last two months and her pace would crush a lesser athlete but she credits her fortitude to a mixture of factors.
"With all the big meets it's been hard to stay mentally and physically on top of everything. This is a learning experience for me. I am learning how my body responds to certain schedules and practices. The biggest thing I have learned is to listen to my body. I have also gotten treatments on my days off by seeing chiropractors and massage therapists to make sure I am feeling the best I can."
Throws coach Ryan Protzman has played an enormous role in Bliss's development and success. His steady hand and bright personality keeps the throwers focused and allows them not to overreact after an errant toss. Bliss has nothing but praise for the staff member.Â
"Coach Protzman has helped me immensely this year. I've said it before but it is amazing having a coach come from the same place I'm from. He is very good at helping me keep a clear head and stay focused. He has also helped me with my confidence and technique and to learn that I deserve to be here as much as the other competitors do, to walk in with a chip on my shoulder and blood in my eye."
Fortunately for Bliss, Protzman will accompany Bliss, as he did for the other Eugene events, to the Olympic Trials. Protzman, in turn, gushes over his star pupil and lays out the context surrounding her upcoming competition.Â
"Evie is about to compete with the best javelin throwers in America and the people she's admired in the sport during her rise. It is hard to put into words what that means at such a young age. I think our goal is advancing to Day Two. It's likely going to take a personal record, but there has been a big throw right there all season."
Head coach Kevin Donner summarized Bliss's season in his combined prognostication and review.
"We are proud of what Evie has accomplished this year. Competing at the US Olympic Trials is a huge honor, especially at such a young age. I'm assuming she's one of the youngest competitors in the event, if not the youngest. This is the third most competitive meet in the world behind the Olympic Games and World Championships. She has competed twice at Hayward Field, so she's acclimated to the facility. She's ready to go. No matter the final result, this will be a great tuneup for the U20 World Championships in Peru."
As mentioned, Bliss's next competition will come in the World Athletics U20 World Championships on August 24-27 if she is not selected for the Olympic Team. Regardless of the outcome at the Olympic Trials, Bliss's 2024 season will become long remembered by Bucknell aficionados.Â
Â
What: The United States Olympic Trials
Where: Eugene, Ore. (Hayward Field)
When: June 28th at 7 PM (ET)
Watch: Peacock ($)
Follow: Live Results
The competition takes place in Eugene, Ore. at the prestigious and colossal Hayward Field, the Track Town USAÂ of American track & field. The venue is not unfamiliar for Bliss as she threw there for the NCAA National Championships and the USA Women's Track & Field Under-20 Championships.Â
"Hayward Field is so amazing," said Bliss. "Every time you walk in it takes your breath away. However, I think my favorite part is when you are escorted out onto the field. You walk out through a tunnel onto the track and the stands are filled with people yelling and cheering for you. Races are going on around you and you can feel the place buzzing with energy and Hayward Magic."
All competitors will receive three attempts in Friday's trials with the top 12 advancing to the Final on Sunday, June 30 at 7:10pm ET where the competition will restart with three preliminary throws and the top eight will receive three more throws in the Final. The top three, who also have the Olympic Standard mark, will represent the United States this summer. 24 athletes will be competing and the full list can be seen here.
Bliss is not Bucknell's first Olympic Trials qualifier. Javelin thrower Maura Fiamoncini finished seventh in 2021. Bliss has represented America before in international competitions but the thrill of throwing for the Star Spangled Banner never fades for her.
"Having the chance to represent America on a stage this big would mean so much to me. I was honored to represent the Red, White, and Blue last year at the Pan-Am games and there is nothing like putting on that USA uniform. So if I get the chance I would be honored, grateful, and blessed to be a part of something bigger than myself."
Beyond representing America on the world stage, Bliss's success had led to Bucknell's name being splashed across ESPN screens. Her orange jersey blazoned with Bucknell across the chest proudly stood out at the NCAA National Championships and Bison denizens could argue it shone the brightest among the rainbow of hues.Â
"Even though this is my first year representing the Orange and the Blue, it has become a second family to me. Between my teammates and coaches, my professors and alumni, the support I have is overwhelming. I have received many emails and letters from everyone with support and well wishes. Getting to represent Bucknell on a stage this big is extremely important to me. I'm so excited and want to make Bucknell and my family proud. This experience is one of a kind, I'm one of the youngest in my field and am looking to gain the experience of competing in these big meets to hopefully make it back to the Olympic Trials in 2028."
Bliss's 2024 outdoor season has been one of Bucknell's finest campaigns as the freshman thrower has written herself into Bison lore. She opened her career at the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational, finishing second throwing 173-9 feet. The mark ranks second in Bucknell history and remains Bliss's highest mark. She then finished the regular season with three straight wins at the always competitive Colonial Invite, the massive Bison Outdoor Classic, and the respected Bucknell Team Challenge.Â
The winning did not halt with the conclusion of the regular season. Bliss won gold at the Patriot League Outdoor Championships by throwing 171-11, outpacing the second-place finisher by over nine feet. The result earned Bliss the Rookie of the Meet Award, the first Bison to do so since Efe Agege in 2015. Success continued with second place and All-East honors at the 2024 ECAC Championships.Â
Bliss qualified for the NCAA East Preliminaries as the fifth seed and lived up to the billing. Her 170-10 throw finished fifth and unlocked a slot in the NCAA National Championships. She became the fifth Bison women to compete in the National Championships and the first since Fiamoncini tossed in 2021. She followed in Fiamoncini's footsteps by finishing 13th (the same as Fiamoncini did in her first National Championship). Her 173-1 toss gained a Second Team All-America slot, christening Bliss as Bucknell women's fourth All-American in outdoor track & field. It marked the first time a Bison lady won All-America honors since Fiamoncini won First Team laurels in 2021 when she placed third.Â
The latest competition for the tireless thrower occurred on June 12 in the USA Women's Track & Field U20 Championships. Bliss repeated as the javelin champion for the second consecutive season, throwing for 168-1 feet. She will represent America in the World Athletics U20 World Championships in Lima, Peru.Â
The freshman has been competing at a breakneck pace over the last two months and her pace would crush a lesser athlete but she credits her fortitude to a mixture of factors.
"With all the big meets it's been hard to stay mentally and physically on top of everything. This is a learning experience for me. I am learning how my body responds to certain schedules and practices. The biggest thing I have learned is to listen to my body. I have also gotten treatments on my days off by seeing chiropractors and massage therapists to make sure I am feeling the best I can."
Throws coach Ryan Protzman has played an enormous role in Bliss's development and success. His steady hand and bright personality keeps the throwers focused and allows them not to overreact after an errant toss. Bliss has nothing but praise for the staff member.Â
"Coach Protzman has helped me immensely this year. I've said it before but it is amazing having a coach come from the same place I'm from. He is very good at helping me keep a clear head and stay focused. He has also helped me with my confidence and technique and to learn that I deserve to be here as much as the other competitors do, to walk in with a chip on my shoulder and blood in my eye."
Fortunately for Bliss, Protzman will accompany Bliss, as he did for the other Eugene events, to the Olympic Trials. Protzman, in turn, gushes over his star pupil and lays out the context surrounding her upcoming competition.Â
"Evie is about to compete with the best javelin throwers in America and the people she's admired in the sport during her rise. It is hard to put into words what that means at such a young age. I think our goal is advancing to Day Two. It's likely going to take a personal record, but there has been a big throw right there all season."
Head coach Kevin Donner summarized Bliss's season in his combined prognostication and review.
"We are proud of what Evie has accomplished this year. Competing at the US Olympic Trials is a huge honor, especially at such a young age. I'm assuming she's one of the youngest competitors in the event, if not the youngest. This is the third most competitive meet in the world behind the Olympic Games and World Championships. She has competed twice at Hayward Field, so she's acclimated to the facility. She's ready to go. No matter the final result, this will be a great tuneup for the U20 World Championships in Peru."
As mentioned, Bliss's next competition will come in the World Athletics U20 World Championships on August 24-27 if she is not selected for the Olympic Team. Regardless of the outcome at the Olympic Trials, Bliss's 2024 season will become long remembered by Bucknell aficionados.Â
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Players Mentioned
Throws
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