Bucknell University Athletics
Bliss Wins Bronze in the Javelin at the U20 World Championships
8/30/2024 8:37:00 PM | Women's Track and Field
LIMA, PERU- Evelyn Bliss capped her freshman campaign by winning bronze in the javelin Friday night at the U20 World Championships. The rising sophomore threw for 177-2 feet to capture third place while representing the United States on the world's stage.Â
Results
Bliss started strong with her first throw reaching 162-6, which was a good sign. Her second throw was waved off. The third throw was the money toss, flying 177-2 feet through the Peruvian night sky. It inserted Bliss in third place as the competition moved into the final three rounds.Â
Bliss outperformed her seeding, having been slotted fifth in the listings. She battled a touch of food poisoning all week and improved immensely after placing seventh in Wednesday's preliminaries.Â
Bucknell throws coach Ryan Protzman, who accompanied her to every previous competition, was unable to travel to Peru but his teachings boarded the plane wiith Bliss. His training played a significant role in the outcome tonight. His quote below bursts with pride.Â
"World Championship medal. Hard to think of it ending any better than it did tonight. She did a great job of handling what was in her control. She made so many adjustments on the fly in the both qualifier and final. She is such a competitor, and is scratching the surface of owning her throw. Throwing that American flag over your shoulders makes all the pain, work, tears, and sweat all worth it!"
China's Ziyi Yan entered the competition and she lived up to the number-one seed, throwing 206-8 feet. Taiwan's Pin-Hsun Chu narrowly edged Bliss for second place, tossing the javelin 178 feet.
It was the capstone for one of the best freshmen years in Bucknell history. Bliss won gold at the 2024 Patriot League Championships, finished fifth in the NCAA East Preliminares, grabbed 13th at the NCAA National Championships clinching All-America honors, placed sixth at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and mined gold at the U20 US National Championship.Â
Bucknell head coach Kevin Donner explained why the accomplishment means for Bliss and the program.
"What a great day to be a Bison. A tremendous accomplishment to win a bronze medal. Evie had a tremendous year and we are so proud of her. Coach Protzman did a great job prepping her for this long year and she proved she is a gamer by finishing higher than her pre-meet ranking to medal in a world-class meet."Â
With a bronze medal hugging her neck, Bliss can return to Lewisburg and resume her studies while resting and refueling for her sophomore spring season. She currently ranks second in Bucknell history in the javelin behind three-time All-American Maura Fiamoncini. There are plenty of goals ahead for the young thrower, nicknamed the Rimersburg Rocket, but tonight she can celebrate winning bronze for her country.Â
Results
"It was amazing tough competition," said Bliss. "I had to fight to get my marks, my form wasn't really working for me. To compete with the best of the best was an experience I'll never forget. I am just so grateful and ecstatic to have medaled at the world stage!"USA! USA!
— Bucknell Track & XC (@Bucknell_TFXC) August 31, 2024
Bliss brings back bronze for the Red, White & Blue!
She masterfully represented the Orange & Blue on the world's stage!
A great day to be a Bison!@PatriotLeagueHQ #rayBucknell | #FeelingBlissful | #U20WorldChampionships | #NCAA pic.twitter.com/c62uWcvsuj
Bliss started strong with her first throw reaching 162-6, which was a good sign. Her second throw was waved off. The third throw was the money toss, flying 177-2 feet through the Peruvian night sky. It inserted Bliss in third place as the competition moved into the final three rounds.Â
Her next two throws were disqualified, but despite movement in the ranks below her, Bliss remained ensconced in third place. The final heave went a respectable 170-8 feet. With all the other throwers beneath her having already thrown their final shot, Bliss celebrated her bronze medal with the American flag draped over her shoulders, after displaying exceptional sportsmanship by congratulating the gold and silver winners.ÂFootage of Bliss's bronze-winning heave!#rayBucknell | #FeelingBlissful pic.twitter.com/evCNjAEcbY
— Bucknell Track & XC (@Bucknell_TFXC) August 31, 2024
Bliss outperformed her seeding, having been slotted fifth in the listings. She battled a touch of food poisoning all week and improved immensely after placing seventh in Wednesday's preliminaries.Â
Bucknell throws coach Ryan Protzman, who accompanied her to every previous competition, was unable to travel to Peru but his teachings boarded the plane wiith Bliss. His training played a significant role in the outcome tonight. His quote below bursts with pride.Â
"World Championship medal. Hard to think of it ending any better than it did tonight. She did a great job of handling what was in her control. She made so many adjustments on the fly in the both qualifier and final. She is such a competitor, and is scratching the surface of owning her throw. Throwing that American flag over your shoulders makes all the pain, work, tears, and sweat all worth it!"
China's Ziyi Yan entered the competition and she lived up to the number-one seed, throwing 206-8 feet. Taiwan's Pin-Hsun Chu narrowly edged Bliss for second place, tossing the javelin 178 feet.
It was the capstone for one of the best freshmen years in Bucknell history. Bliss won gold at the 2024 Patriot League Championships, finished fifth in the NCAA East Preliminares, grabbed 13th at the NCAA National Championships clinching All-America honors, placed sixth at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and mined gold at the U20 US National Championship.Â
Bucknell head coach Kevin Donner explained why the accomplishment means for Bliss and the program.
"What a great day to be a Bison. A tremendous accomplishment to win a bronze medal. Evie had a tremendous year and we are so proud of her. Coach Protzman did a great job prepping her for this long year and she proved she is a gamer by finishing higher than her pre-meet ranking to medal in a world-class meet."Â
With a bronze medal hugging her neck, Bliss can return to Lewisburg and resume her studies while resting and refueling for her sophomore spring season. She currently ranks second in Bucknell history in the javelin behind three-time All-American Maura Fiamoncini. There are plenty of goals ahead for the young thrower, nicknamed the Rimersburg Rocket, but tonight she can celebrate winning bronze for her country.Â
Players Mentioned
Throws
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