Thursday, June 6
Eugene, OR
9:45 ET/6:45 PT
Bucknell University
vs
NCAA Championships
Photo by: James Crisp
Bliss Earns Second Team All-America Honors at the NCAA National Championships
6/7/2024 12:13:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
EUGENE, Ore.- Evelyn Bliss became the fourth All-American in outdoor track & field for the Bucknell Bison women's team on Thursday night with her 13th-place finish in the javelin throw at the NCAA National Championships. Bliss's throw went 173 feet, 1 inch to clinch Second Team All-America honors.
"We are proud of Evie," said head coach Kevin Donner. "She finished above her seed and was close to matching her record. To earn Second Team All-American as a freshman is huge for her and our program. It is a great set-up for next week's U20 Championships where she will try to make a world championship team and the Olympic Trials in three weeks."
Bliss joins three previous Bison in earning All-America laurels and she is the third javelin thrower to do so. Lonnie Fertik was Bucknell's first All-American in 1982, finishing fourth in the heptathlon. Javelin tosser Lauren Rycek received Honorable Mention All-American with her 23rd place finish in 2011. Maura Fiamoncini, the second javelin thrower to win the crown, was a three-time All-American, placing 13th (2018), 9th (2019), and 3rd (2021). (COVID-19 canceled the 2020 season.)
"It was an amazing and humbling experience with plenty of great throwers," said Bliss. "I can't wait to get to work and return here next year. I'm not quite done yet, and looking for redemption at U20s next week."
Bliss was one of three freshmen in the 24-woman competition and outperformed many upperclassmen throwers. She entered the contest as the 15th seed, surpassing her placement by two spots.
"This is the biggest stage Evie has competed on," said throws coach Ryan Protzman. "There were definitely some nerves there, but she built well in the second and third rounds. I wish she had another attempt, but I'm so proud of her. Although we wanted more, she is leaving her first NCAA meet as an All-American, and more motivated than ever to get back."
The freshman grew stronger and stronger as the competition continued. Her first throw traveled 153-11. The next round journeyed 168-6, moving her into All-America consideration at 15th place. Her final throw flew 173-1, placing her 11th before two other athletes moved ahead. She finished one inch from tying for 12th, and her mark was eight inches away from tying her personal record.
The rookie placed her heart on her sleeve for her final throw saying, "I just went for it. I knew the final was reachable and what I had done to that point wasn't enough."
Nebraska's Rhema Otabor won the event and set a collegiate record with a throw of 210-7. Texas A&M's Lianna Davidson's throw of 199-2 led most of the event until Otabor's shattering fling in the final round. TCU's Irene Jepkemboi finished third (185-4).
Bliss will remain in Eugene for the upcoming U20 Championships and the Olympic Trials.
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ResultsWhat an All-American throw looks like! Flying like an eagle to eternal glory!#rayBucknell | #FeelingBlissful pic.twitter.com/ZP9AAtn3hp
— Bucknell Track & XC (@Bucknell_TFXC) June 7, 2024
"We are proud of Evie," said head coach Kevin Donner. "She finished above her seed and was close to matching her record. To earn Second Team All-American as a freshman is huge for her and our program. It is a great set-up for next week's U20 Championships where she will try to make a world championship team and the Olympic Trials in three weeks."
Bliss joins three previous Bison in earning All-America laurels and she is the third javelin thrower to do so. Lonnie Fertik was Bucknell's first All-American in 1982, finishing fourth in the heptathlon. Javelin tosser Lauren Rycek received Honorable Mention All-American with her 23rd place finish in 2011. Maura Fiamoncini, the second javelin thrower to win the crown, was a three-time All-American, placing 13th (2018), 9th (2019), and 3rd (2021). (COVID-19 canceled the 2020 season.)
"It was an amazing and humbling experience with plenty of great throwers," said Bliss. "I can't wait to get to work and return here next year. I'm not quite done yet, and looking for redemption at U20s next week."
Bliss was one of three freshmen in the 24-woman competition and outperformed many upperclassmen throwers. She entered the contest as the 15th seed, surpassing her placement by two spots.
"This is the biggest stage Evie has competed on," said throws coach Ryan Protzman. "There were definitely some nerves there, but she built well in the second and third rounds. I wish she had another attempt, but I'm so proud of her. Although we wanted more, she is leaving her first NCAA meet as an All-American, and more motivated than ever to get back."
The freshman grew stronger and stronger as the competition continued. Her first throw traveled 153-11. The next round journeyed 168-6, moving her into All-America consideration at 15th place. Her final throw flew 173-1, placing her 11th before two other athletes moved ahead. She finished one inch from tying for 12th, and her mark was eight inches away from tying her personal record.
The rookie placed her heart on her sleeve for her final throw saying, "I just went for it. I knew the final was reachable and what I had done to that point wasn't enough."
Nebraska's Rhema Otabor won the event and set a collegiate record with a throw of 210-7. Texas A&M's Lianna Davidson's throw of 199-2 led most of the event until Otabor's shattering fling in the final round. TCU's Irene Jepkemboi finished third (185-4).
Bliss will remain in Eugene for the upcoming U20 Championships and the Olympic Trials.
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Players Mentioned
Throws
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