United States National Champion Javelineer Evelyn Bliss Places 19th at the 2025 World Athletics Championships
9/19/2025 9:51:00 PM | Women's Track and Field
TOKYO, JAPAN- United States National Champion javelin thrower Evelyn Bliss outperformed her seeding Friday at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, finishing 19th in the women's javelin preliminaries. The competition capped her magnificent 2025 season where she set the school record and earned the national champion crown. Bliss was the youngest thrower in the event, after China's Yan Ziyi (age 17) ranked 12th in the world, declined to participate.Â
"Each time I get to put on the Red, White, and Blue, it is always such an intense moment," said Bliss. "It becomes being part of something bigger than myself and I am honored each and every time I get to wear the colors."
Bliss started strong in the first round with her best throw of 58.88m. The mark immediately shot her up to fifth place, eliciting a cry of excitement from the Bucknell watch party in Lewisburg. The distance was the second-best of her career.
Her second attempt flew a respectable 56.51m. Several other throwers eclipsed her and Bliss fell down to seventh place entering the third and final flight.
The Bison junior tried to muster some late magic but her third and final chance fluttered 55.94m.
Bliss slotted tenth after the first qualification group ended and needed a miracle to remain in the top 12 to advance to tomorrow's finals.
The miracle did not materialize. Qualification Group B was filled with some heavy-hitters and Bliss was swiftly removed from the top 12. Her 19th place finish was an outstanding spot for a thrower who entered the competition seeded 35th.
Serbia's Adriana Vilagos won the preliminaries, throwing a remarkable 66.06. Mackenzie Little (Australia) finished second, tossing 65.54m – a season best for the Australian. Latvia's Anete Sietina placed third with a season-best 63.67m.
Bucknell throws coach Ryan Protzman, present at the competition, offered this bit of reflection, "This meet was a huge building block for her future. I strongly believe if she stays healthy, she can do some unthinkable things in the future. I told her heading into the postseason of her freshman year that we were going to work together and change American women's javelin throwing. She's off to a great start and earned a bit of downtime to recover. Top 20 in the world. What a way to sign off."
The trip to the stadium offered Protzman a chance to review how far he and Bliss have come in two short years. "I am in awe of everything I was part of this evening. From the second we boarded the bus to go to the warm-up track, there were World & Olympic medalists on both sides of the aisle. The 45-minute bus ride allowed for reflection on the growth of Evie and how special this year has been. To watch her walk out of that tunnel and take it all in was a moment that I'm so glad she got to experience."
Japan National Stadium was packed to the brim with a hearty and devoted crowd. Not a seat in the 67,000-venue looked unfilled. Bliss' home town of Rimersburg, Pennsylvania has under 1,000 souls. She was unfazed by the massive horde and her experience will serve her well in the upcoming NCAA meets. She proved to herself that she can fling a javelin with the world's best. Â
"Walking out of the tunnel to a crowd of 58,000 people was the most exhilarating thing ever," Bliss remarked. "Throwing in front of a crowd like that with the best women in the world was like a crazy competition high."
Bliss will rest up after her extended 2025 campaign and enjoy her massive collection of accolades. She repeated as Patriot League Champion, finished first setting the school record at the NCAA East First Round, won All-American honors again at the NCAA National Championships, minted silver at the FISU University Games, was crowned United States National Champion, earned gold at the NACACs, and ranked 19th in the world.
Not too shabby for a country girl from Rimersburg.
Bucknell head coach Kevin Donner offered his veteran perspective:
"Evie finished as the 19th best javelin thrower in the world today and she was ranked 35th out of the 36 competing throwers, so she outperformed her seed by 16 places. She had her second-best ever throw and handled the pressure of a huge crowd and being on the other side of the world like a pro. What a fantastic meet to end a fantastic season. Just two and a half years ago, she was competing at high school meets in rural Pennsylvania on grass runways in front of family and friends and a few teammates. Today, she was on the other side of the world in front of 50,000+ people wearing her USA uniform."
Donner also noted the high-quality work of his assistant coach:
"Congratulations also to Coach Protzman who has coached and mentored her to this tremendous level. It wasn't that long ago when he coached at the high school level in Western Pennsylvania and today, he was at the most competitive meet in the world."
Bliss isn't deterred or distraught by missing the finals. Instead, she has been fueled with a greater determination and drive and now knows the inside javelin for worldwide success.Â
"Walking away from it all I have gained so much experience," she said. "I know what I need to work on to be one of the top 12 next time. I also got a taste of what it is like at the top and I will return."
Evelyn Bliss returns to action next spring for the outdoor track & field season.
Players Mentioned
