Bucknell University Athletics
Evelyn Bliss Mints Silver at the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor National Championships
7/23/2026 8:48:00 PM | Women's Track and Field
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y.- Reigning U.S. National Champion Evelyn Bliss narrowly missed holding onto her crown at the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships on Thursday night. Bliss finished second behind first-time title-winner and rival Madison Wiltrout.
"What a fantastic year for Evie," Bucknell head coach Kevin Donner said. "NCAA runner-up and USA runner-up. 60 meters is now her norm and everyone at Bucknell is very proud. We cannot wait for next year."
"I was definitely not as smooth as I would like to have been," Bliss admitted. "I thought I could hit a little bit better had I been smoother. But, you know, just like anything else, it's something I need to go back and work and practice and everything. So that'll be my focus going into next year."
Bliss' silver-medal-winning throw of 60.41m (198-2) flew during her second attempt. She regained the catbird seat after Wiltrout moved ahead at the end of the first round. Bliss' throw revved up the back-and-forth competition between the two western Pennsylvania throwers.
Bliss and Wiltrout have created a friendly Magic and Bird rivalry. Last year, Bliss finished first and Wiltrout placed second. This year, the reverse occurred, as once again, Pennsylvania earned a 1-2 finish.
"Madison is outstanding," Bliss said. "She's an incredible athlete. I love throwing against Madison. I mean, she pushes me to be better, and she pushes everybody."
That push drew the 60.41m throw, which slotted fourth on Evelyn Bliss' top-ten list, surpassing her mark of 60.28m (197-9) recently thrown at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Bliss, tabbed third in the starting list, grabbed the early lead on a throw of 55.21m (181-1), a solid opening volley after a month's absence from competition.
Her third throw flew 58.82m (193-0), a respectable distance that did not increase her lead but kept the Bison thrower ensconced in first before Wiltrout passed her with the winning distance of 61.53m (201-10).
Bliss opened the finals portion with another consistent throw of 57.86m (189-10). Her fifth attempt landed in the field but Bliss deliberately fouled due to its negligible distance.
Bliss had one more chance to retain her crown but the final heave wobbled off her arm and fell harmlessly short of 55-meters. The deposed champion calmly stepped across the line and fouled but still celebrated the impressive feat of second place.
Silver at the U.S. National Championships capped an extraordinary season for the Bison thrower. Bliss enjoyed the most bountiful season in program history. She became a three-time All-American, placed second at the NCAA Outdoor Championships – the highest finish in Bucknell women's track & field history – and won the Patriot League title for the third consecutive year along with setting numerous facilities and meet records.
"It's been a fun year," Bliss said. "I've had a lot of fun. I got to compete a bunch. And this season's been a little bit more relaxed, which I think I've needed. And it's been -- it's been enjoyable."
Bucknell throws coach Ryan Protzman agreed with his protégé's assessment:
"I just think that sums up Evelyn Bliss. She's a competitor. Every time that she goes out there, puts on the jersey, puts the jab on her hand, you know she's going to perform. Maybe it's not going to be everything you expect. She is human and she's going to have off days. But at the end of the day, she always puts herself in the mix. Today it was back and forth with Madison, right? They were both kind of just tickling that 60 line the whole competition. I think looking at it as a whole, it was extremely successful. Her average throw has come up so much. Big meets, she's performing. All in all, it was an amazing season that we'll be able to look back on forever, whenever we think of this rise of Evelyn Bliss."
