THERE WERE NO sixth-round heroics in the women’s discus, but it was still a dynamic competition that kept one on edge. Although the pressure was on, experience redounded to the benefit of several finalists who had donned international vests in the past.
T&FN formchart No. 1 Alida van Daalen from Florida is a two-time European U23 champion for the Netherlands, while Vanderbilt’s Veronica Fraley (No. 3) represented the USA in Budapest in ’23. No. 4 Shelby Frank from Minnesota is a NACAC U23 medalist for the USA, Harvard frosh Milina Wepiwé is a Euro U20 medalist for Germany and Oregon’s Jaida Ross (No. 7), who won the shot on Thursday, is the NACAC U23 champion in that event.
Taking the lead after round 1 was van Daalen with a 199-3 (60.73) effort, followed by Fraley 193-2 (58.88) and Michigan senior Corrine Jemison 187-8 (57.20).
After fouling in round 1, Ulrich threw 206-10 (63.05) in the second to take the lead and Frank sailed the disc 200-2 (61.02) to take over 2nd, as neither van Daalen nor Fraley could improve. That knocked the pair down to 3rd and 4th.
No places changed in round 3, but Fraley improved to 197-5 (60.17). The final order for the 9 throwers would be LSU’s Estel Valeanu, Texas A&M’s Abigail Martin, Colorado State’s Michaela Hawkins, Wepiwé, Jemison, Frank, Fraley, van Daalen and Ulrich.
Round 4 was the game changer, with Fraley unleashing a 208-10 (63.66) to take the lead away from Ulrich, and van Daalen raising her best to 204-10 (62.44) to overtake Frank for 3rd.
The only improver in frame 5 was Hawkins. Her 196-3 (59.82) moved her into 6th. The final stanza was anticlimactic, with no one improving, leaving setting the podium as Fraley, Ulrich and van Daalen.
Although inferior to the series she put together at the thrower-friendly venue in Oklahoma in April (best of 229-4/67.17), Fraley’s 208-10 was good enough to avenge finishing behind van Daalen and Ulrich in the East Region.
That throw, said the winner, “felt amazing coming off my hands, I kind of knew as soon as I let it go that it was a good one. Of course, I didn’t know until I saw the screen but when you know, you know. It was a good feeling, good moment and I am grateful it showed up at the right moment.”
For Fraley, it was a fitting end to a collegiate career that saw her place 11th in ’21 for Clemson and 17th last year. This time, she is the champion.
WOMEN’S DISCUS RESULTS
(June 08)
1. Veronica Fraley (Vand) 208-10 (63.66)
(193-2, 191-5, 197-5, 208-10, 205-6, 183-6) (58.88, 58.34, 60.17, 63.66, 62.65, 55.94);
2. *Jayden Ulrich (Louis) 206-10 (63.05)
(f, 206-10, f, 200-7, 193-0, f) (f, 63.05, f, 61.14, 58.83, f);
3. **Alida Van Daalen’ (Fl-Neth) 204-10 (62.44)
(199-3, 195-1, 197-10, 204-10, f, 201-7) (60.73, 59.46, 60.31, 62.44, f, 61.44);
4. *Shelby Frank (Mn) 200-2 (61.01) PR
(f, 200-2, 191-5, f, f, f) (f, 61.01, 58.34, f, f, f);
5. Corinne Jemison (Mi) 197-1 (60.07) PR
(187-8, 192-8, 197-1, f, 176-6, 194-1) (57.20, 58.73, 60.07, f, 53.81, 59.17);
6. Michaela Hawkins (CoSt) 196-3 (59.82)
(f, 191-8, 187-5, 188-3, 196-3, f) (f, 58.43, 57.12, 57.39, 59.82, f);
7. ***Milina Wepiwe’ (Harv-Ger) 194-4 (59.23) PR
(f, 194-4, f, f, f, f) (f, 59.23, f, f, f, f);
8. ***Abigail Martin’ (TxAM-Jam) 189-8 (57.81)
(f, 189-8, 167-5, 171-6, 175-1, 149-3) (f, 57.81, 51.03, 52.29, 53.37, 45.50);
9. Estel Valeanu’ (LSU-Isr) 187-6 (57.17)
(154-10, 186-3, 183-7, 176-5, 187-6, 182-7) (47.20, 56.78, 55.97, 53.77, 57.17, 55.66);
10. *Siniru Iheoma (Prin) 183-5 (55.91); 11. Hallee Mohr (Hi) 181-11 (55.46); 12. *Michaelle Valentin’ (FlInt-Hai) 181-8 (55.37); 13. *Lyvante Su’Emai’ (UCLA-Aus) 181-4 (55.27); 14. *Jaida Ross (Or) 180-5 (54.99); 15. *Kalynn Meyer (Nb) 179-2 (54.63); 16. Gabby Morris (CoSt) 179-0 (54.56); 17. **Ines Lopez’ (AzSt-Spa) 178-11 (54.54); 18. *Zoe Burleson (TxT) 177-11 (54.22); 19. *Faith Bender (OhSt) 177-7 (54.14); 20. Gabrielle Bailey’ (Kent-Jam) 176-5 (53.79); 21. Leia Braunagel’ (WF-Ger) 172-6 (52.59); 22. *Gretchen Hoekstre (BYU) 166-9 (50.83); 23. Jordyn Bryant (Fres) 166-7 (50.77); 24. ***Marley Raikiwasa’ (Aub-Aus) 166-2 (50.64).
