Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Isabelle Roes
US National Champion Evelyn Bliss Repeats as Patriot League Women's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week and Bison of the Week
4/14/2026 2:34:00 PM | Women's Track and Field
LEWISBURG, Pa.- US National Champion Evelyn Bliss crossed a historic milestone in the javelin throw on Sunday at the Bison Outdoor Classic, surpassing the 60-meter and 200-feet mark, as she set the facility, meet, and school record, moved into first worldwide in 2026 for the event, reaffirmed her number one spot in the NCAA, and established herself as seventh all-time in American history. Her throw essentially won the javelineer Patriot League Outdoor Women's Field Athlete of the Week and Bison of the Week once the distance was announced.Â
Bliss' throw traveled 61.34m (201-3), supplanting her previous best mark of 60.81m (199-6) hurled at the 2025 FISU University Games. The mark came amidst blustery and overcast weather. Sunday had started appropriately sunny but by 2 p.m. Apollo's domain had retreated behind gray clouds and a steady and fearsome breeze swept across the West Fields Throwing Area. Bliss had encountered similar weather earlier this month in Arizona and the junior was prepared to toss in the weather.Â
"I was nervous with the wind but I decided just to blocked it out of my mind best I could and focus on competing," Bliss said.
Her first throw flew 52.38m (171-10) - a strong first showing for the junior and one that primed the massive crowd - mostly filled of Bucknell partisans, consisting of alumni, family, friends, professors, staff, and teammates - into expecting longer distances. Bliss obliged her fan base. The second attempt journeyed 55.25m (181-3) and keen observers could tell Bliss was finding her stride.Â
She discovered El Dorado on her third expedition. Bliss moved down the runway in a march honed by a thousand renditions of practice and unleashed her rocket. The javelin sliced through the ominous wind and kept foraging ahead before stabbing into the ground like a planted flag. Bliss placed a satisfied smile on her face, clapped, and trooped off the runaway. The measurements were taken and announced. A mighty roar arose from the crowd, throws coach Ryan Protzman rushed to embrace his pupil, and her teammates' faces erupted in joyous camaraderie.Â
"I didn't know it was over 60m, but I knew it was a good throw," Bliss commented. "I definitely knew I could hit 60m especially after last weekend throwing 59.95m. I felt good in warm-ups today and knew I could go after it and chase one." Â
Bliss' next goal is replicating her new-found distance. She is chasing a three Patriot League title, three-time All-American laurels, the NCAA National Championship, and working towards the Olympic Trials. 61 meters is only three away from the standard of 64 meters. Celebrating first place in the NCAA and the world works for a day but the grind never halts for the determined champion.Â
"I am going back to work making sure I can do it again at Leagues and NCAAs," commented the worldwide leader.Â
Protzman further elaborated on his protege's success. "Amazing things are happening. She is still in a period as far as training and the weight room where we are not expecting big throws, but with where her fitness and mentality are at, she is in a great spot to attack the rest of the year."
Bucknell heads to the ECAC-IC4A Championships this weekend. Bliss will rest for this meet but should resume competition at the historical Penn Relays on the following weekend.Â
Bliss' throw traveled 61.34m (201-3), supplanting her previous best mark of 60.81m (199-6) hurled at the 2025 FISU University Games. The mark came amidst blustery and overcast weather. Sunday had started appropriately sunny but by 2 p.m. Apollo's domain had retreated behind gray clouds and a steady and fearsome breeze swept across the West Fields Throwing Area. Bliss had encountered similar weather earlier this month in Arizona and the junior was prepared to toss in the weather.Â
"I was nervous with the wind but I decided just to blocked it out of my mind best I could and focus on competing," Bliss said.
Her first throw flew 52.38m (171-10) - a strong first showing for the junior and one that primed the massive crowd - mostly filled of Bucknell partisans, consisting of alumni, family, friends, professors, staff, and teammates - into expecting longer distances. Bliss obliged her fan base. The second attempt journeyed 55.25m (181-3) and keen observers could tell Bliss was finding her stride.Â
She discovered El Dorado on her third expedition. Bliss moved down the runway in a march honed by a thousand renditions of practice and unleashed her rocket. The javelin sliced through the ominous wind and kept foraging ahead before stabbing into the ground like a planted flag. Bliss placed a satisfied smile on her face, clapped, and trooped off the runaway. The measurements were taken and announced. A mighty roar arose from the crowd, throws coach Ryan Protzman rushed to embrace his pupil, and her teammates' faces erupted in joyous camaraderie.Â
The talk among the track & field program centered on the belief that Bliss would hit 60 meters this weekend. Both she and Protzman felt confident about it via the kind of confidence not based on false bravo but gleaned from hard-earned experience, sweat, and unlocking of goals. Errol Flynn once said a decent chap never lets his public down. Bliss followed that mantra. The Bucknell community rallied around its only chance to see her throw on home terra forma in 2026 and Bliss delivered a performance they will never forget.ÂRelive US National Champion Evelyn Bliss' historic throw (SEVENTH IN AMERICAN HISTORY) of 61.34m and hear from her and Throws Coach Ryan Protzman!
— Bucknell Track & XC (@Bucknell_TFXC) April 13, 2026
Her throw is also currently NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD!#rayBucknell | #FeelingBlissful pic.twitter.com/UZ6I3TZuLO
"I didn't know it was over 60m, but I knew it was a good throw," Bliss commented. "I definitely knew I could hit 60m especially after last weekend throwing 59.95m. I felt good in warm-ups today and knew I could go after it and chase one." Â
Bliss' next goal is replicating her new-found distance. She is chasing a three Patriot League title, three-time All-American laurels, the NCAA National Championship, and working towards the Olympic Trials. 61 meters is only three away from the standard of 64 meters. Celebrating first place in the NCAA and the world works for a day but the grind never halts for the determined champion.Â
"I am going back to work making sure I can do it again at Leagues and NCAAs," commented the worldwide leader.Â
Protzman further elaborated on his protege's success. "Amazing things are happening. She is still in a period as far as training and the weight room where we are not expecting big throws, but with where her fitness and mentality are at, she is in a great spot to attack the rest of the year."
Bucknell heads to the ECAC-IC4A Championships this weekend. Bliss will rest for this meet but should resume competition at the historical Penn Relays on the following weekend.Â
Players Mentioned
Throws
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