Evelyn Bliss Sets Facility and Meet Record; Bucknell Women Sit First after Day Two of the Colonial Relays

Friday, April 3

Williamsburg, Va.

9 a.m.

Bucknell University

Colonial Relays

Photo by: Reily Rogers

Evelyn Bliss Sets Facility and Meet Record; Bucknell Women Sit First after Day Two of the Colonial Relays

4/3/2026 9:38:00 PM | Women's Track and Field

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.- US National champion Evelyn Bliss won the javelin throw, set the facility and meet record, and moved into first place in the NCAA, as Bucknell sits in first place in the Colonial Relays after the second day of competition. The Bison have scored 97.5 points with host William & Mary sitting second with 82 points.

Results

"It was a very good day for the Bison with the team in a position to win the meet," said head coach Kevin Donner. "Our ladies competed well and it looks like a close meet with William & Mary for the team title. This meet is also a war of attrition as injuries and results can change the meet strategy for the final day. It is important for our athletes to get used to competing on back to back days. It is definitely a different feel than competing fresh."

Bliss added another laurel to her decorated career with a throw of 59.95m (196-8) that shattered the facility and meet record of 56m (183-8.50) set back in 1992 by Marilyn Senz, who competed in the 1991 Pan Am Games. The record-breaking throw arrived in the sixth and final attempt. Bliss, fully healthy after last weekend's USATF Long Throws Winter National Championships, came out firing, hitting 56.71m (186-0.50) in her first chance. Over her next four tries, Bliss crossed 170 feet twice, dipped to 158-11.75, and fouled. She gathered her bearings, strolled down the forest-laden runaway, and uncorked the historical throw.

The distance, as of this writing, moved the junior javelineer to number one nationally. The two-time All-American essentially guaranteed her third-straight NCAA qualifying bid. Bliss has competed in three Colonial Relays and won the javelin throw in every edition.

"I am really excited that I hit a big one today," said Bliss. "Coach Protzman and I have really been working on going into competition with a relaxed mindset and I think I was able to do that. I started off with a good throw and felt good during comp so to hit big like that in my final round was very exciting!"

"Today went pretty well for the group," said throws coach Ryan Protzman. "We had PRs from some of our younger athletes and people competing well and scoring points for the team. The highlight was obviously Evie hitting a big throw to take the NCAA lead. She looked great from the warmups all the way through her last throw."

Alexandra Lea's triumphant 2025 spring launched itself at last year's Colonial Relays with a win in the 400-meter dash. Bucknell hopes lightning will strike twice. Lea once again clinched victory in the event, running a speedy 54.65, nearly two seconds faster than the second place finisher.

Grace Vives won the 1500-meter invite with a time of 4:31.89. The senior trailed early but pushed hard in the last 400 meters.

Madison Fowler finished second in the hammer throw, tossing 51.49m (168-11). The sophomore registered marks on five of six throws and improved her distance on every throw but the fourth and fifth. The 51.49m mark arrived during her final attempt.

The distance group supplied two third place finishes. Bradley Weldon continued her impressive climb as a first-rank distancewoman, registering 36.26.78 in the 10,000-meter run. Kerry O'Day shined in the 3000-meter steeplechase, racing 11:00.10.

Noelani Sadler raced her way into the Bucknell record book in the 400-meter hurdles. The speedy sophomore, the Bison record holder in the 100-meter hurdles, displayed her stamina slotting fourth on a time of 1:02.79, good enough for ninth at Bucknell.

Katie Moncavage led the Bison brigade in the 5000-meter run, finishing fifth logging 17:11.14.

Elizabeth Bryant cleared 11-8.50 in the pole vault to place fifth.

Jordan Muraglia leaped 17-8 in the long jump to finish seventh.

Piper Portacio slotted eighth place in the 200-meter dash. The freshman ran 25.18.

Cami Burnett did not compete in a scored meet but the Bison sprinter's time of 12.19 in the 100-meter dash won her second and moved her into tenth all-time in Bison history.

The 60th Colonial Relays conclude tomorrow, as Bucknell goes for its third consecutive meet win at the competition.