Evelyn Bliss Competes in the NCAA National Championships on Thursday

LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison women's track & field program returns a participant to the NCAA National Championships for the first time in three years with freshman phenom Evelyn Bliss competing in the javelin throw this Thursday. Bucknell's last student-athete in the National Championships was star javelin thrower Maura Fiamoncini, whose third place finish in 2021 won All-American honors. The National Championships are held at the University of Oregon's world class facilities.

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What: 2024 NCAA National Championships
Where: University of Oregon-Eugune, Ore.
When: Wednesday-Saturday, June 5-8, 2024

**Competition Time for Bliss**
Date	Competition	Time
June 6	Javelin	6:45 PT/ 9:45 ET

"We just finished our last practice before heading to Eugene and she's in a great place," said head coach Ryan Protzman. "We have been working on just a couple cues and letting her be the athlete she is. I'm confident in her and know she is going to be fully invested into these competitions moving forward."

Bliss threw 170-9 feet to finish fifth at the NCAA East Preliminaries. The result matched her pre-match seeding. Her attempt outperformed several Power Five throwers and Patriot League throwers. She became the fifth Bison to earn qualification for the National Championships. Her placement was the highest by an Orange & Blue clad athlete since Fiamoncini also finished fifth in 2021 and was the second-highest result by a freshman flinger.

She has enjoyed an incredible freshman campaign and already made Bucknell history in the all-time javelin rankings. Her 173-9 mark comfortably rests second, less than 12 feet from Fiamoncini's first place mark. Bliss captured gold at the Patriot League Outdoor Championships and won four times in the javelin in consecutive meets. She began her collegiate career with the 173-9 mark at the Hurricane College Invite. The throw placed her second among elite talent.

Bucknell women's track & field now has five athletes who reached the National Championships. The javelin throw has accounted for 60% of the attendees. Bliss joins Fiamoncini (2018, 2019 & 2021) and Laura Rycek (2011) in the select company. Fiamoncini finished 13th (2018), 8th (2019), and 3rd (2021), winning All-American honors all three years. Rycek placed 23rd, earning All-American honorable mention.

Bliss will spend her summer encased in Eugene's cozy confines as the thrower has competition dates with the U20 competitions and the Olympic Trials on her upcoming schedule. In July 2023, Bliss won the USA U20 Javelin Title.