Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Patriot League Outdoor Championships
Evelyn Bliss Establishes Facility and Meet Record at the First Day of the Patriot League Outdoor Championships
5/15/2026 10:25:00 PM | Women's Track and Field
Results
Bliss' third straight Patriot League championship was her finest yet. The junior javelin thrower smashed the facility record of 52.95m (173-8) set in 2025 by Navy's Renny Murphy and the meet record of 55.09m (180-9) established in 2021 by Bucknell's All-American Maura Fiamoncini in her first throw. The reigning champion unleashed an opening salvo of 59.85m (196-4) and immediately set the tone. Her next throw shattered her recently planted records by passing the 60-meter mark at 60.02m (196-11).Â
She joined Fiamoncini (2018, 2019, and 2021) as the Orange & Blue's second three-time Patriot League champion in the event. Both Bison throwers have won it three consecutive years - the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 championships.Â
"First throw felt good," said Bliss. "I know I had a shot of getting both records and the next throw felt even better."
The entire arena stopped and watched Bliss throw but the extra pressure didn't faze the Bison superstar, who threw in front of 60,000+ in Tokyo at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.Â
"I loved it," said Bliss. "I loved the atmosphere. Coach Protzman said it before. The largest the crowd, the better I throw."
Her teammate Brylee Tereska took home silver for the second straight year by throwing for a personal record of 50 meters (164-0). Tereska opened with a mark of 45.07m (147-10), a solid mark, but she soon accelerated into another gear. Her final five throws flew 48 meters or more, including her personal best thrown in her second try. Once the distance for 50 meters were announced, Bliss and fellow javelin thrower Madelyn Hudak embraced Tereska. 50 meters had been a fervent goal for the senior, who firmly established her claim to becoming Bucknell's first four-time NCAA qualifier.Â"I felt great," said Tereska. "My body felt great. The weather was beautiful. My warm-ups were some of the best throws I had. I have more confidence knowing that I can hit 50 meters."
"This group does a good job of feeding off each other," said Protzman. "When one person comes out and pops one, the entire group feeds off it. We had that energy throughout the season. When meet day happens, these two drive each other and they have high expectations."
Lea notched first in two preliminary races. Her performance in the 400-meter dash of 54.04 broke the facility record of 54.16 set in 2005 by Navy's Tineisha Davis. The Bison sophomore, who set the meet record last year, blitzed past the competition. She will go for a personal record and a second straight goal medal tomorrow. Her time of 23.66 won the 200-meter dash qualifications but the wind meter of 2.5 disallowed the time for the Patriot League record.Â
"I felt pretty good," said Lea. "I feel like we always train for this meet and my leg was feeling pretty loose. For tomorrow, I am going to let it all out."
Abigail Michaelson placed sixth in the 800-meter run preliminaries and earned finals qualification but her time of 2:08.23 set the Bucknell school record. She broke the previous record of 2:08.76 set by Christine Bendzinski in 2017.Â"Great job by Michaelson today," said Bucknell sprints coach Richard Alexander. "She has had a tremendous season and has shown the type of runner she can be when she is healthy. I thought she had a great chance of making the final today. Not only did she do that but she executed her race perfectly and was able to break the school record."
"I knew this race was going to go out faster than I ever have before in the 800," said Michaelson. "Coach A told me to let other people take it out but stick with them so I could make a pass towards the end of the race to get a qualification."
Michaelson transitioned from the 400-meter dash to the 800-meter run and the move has paid dividends for the runner and the Bison. She cracked the all-time top ten before today and now owns the school record.
"Training as a sprinter has given me the speed to get out fast and close fast," said Michaelson. "I also like to go on longer runs by myself for fun. I think that combo has set me up really well."
Madison Fowler medaled bronze in the hammer throw behind two Patriot League seniors. The Bison sophomore hit 55.46m (181-11) in her fifth attempt and will be the favorite entering next year's championships. She was remarkably consistent with four of her five throws, clearing 181+ feet.Â
The 10,000-meter run opened the competition and Bucknell placed two runners in the top eight. Senior Caryn Rippey slotted fourth on her time of 35:13.13. She led for most of the race before settling in fourth. Bradley Weldon continued her impressive progression by placing eighth. The junior distancewoman outran Army's Abigail Garner in the final stretch for the crucial point.Â
The 4x800-meter relay team of Grace Vives, Isabella Johns, Shaelan McNally, and Katrina Torelli clinched fourth, logging 8:52.83. The Bison sat second after the first leg but slipped to fourth and could not recover. The time was still enough for third at Bucknell and the first top ten time since 2019.Â
Three Bison earned qualification for the 1500-meter run finals. Vives placed fourth, running a personal best of 4:27.49, moving into sixth place all-time at Bucknell. Torelli placed 11th at 4:31.97 and McNally notched 13th at 4:33.40.Â
Noelani Sadler unlocked qualification in the 110-meter hurdles with her time of 14.14, which narrowly equaled her personal record of 14.12. She and Maddy Sipe notched spots in the 400-meter hurdle finals. Sipe placed fifth, running 1:02.20 - eighth in Bucknell history. Sadler slotted eighth at 1:02.89.Â
Two Bison earned all-time top ten marks in the 100-meter dash. Grace Camerlingo earned a spot in the finals and third all-time at Bucknell, running a scathing 11.93. Cami Burkett missed finals entry but her time of 12.17 is tenth all-time. Burkett also moved into tenth all-time at the 200-meter dash after running 24.88.Â
Jordan Muraglia celebrated her first Patriot League Outdoor Championships by placing seventh in the long jump. The rookie hit 18-7.25 in her fourth attempt.
Madeline Lehker sits tenth in the heptathlon with 2599 points but she is only 69 points out of eighth place.Â
Bucknell looks to break into the top three tomorrow at the final day of the Patriot League Outdoor Championships.
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