ALTHOUGH THE THROWERS anticipated an enjoyable, spirited competition, the qualifying was split in half by a persistent rain shower which started between the flights. It affected everyone. The first flight was dry, the second wet.
Favored Jorinde van Klinken, in the second round of 12, would ultimately win with a come-from-behind winner of 62.16 (203-11) to finish round 5. After an opener of 188-11 (57.59) and a third-round 190-6 (58.06), the Arizona State senior had led comfortably until her friendly foe Alexandra Emilianov spun a 191-9 (58.44).
The Moldovan, representing Kansas, happily stabbed her hands toward the rainy sky and did a little jump after taking the lead. But she could celebrate less than a couple of minutes. VK, the next thrower, worked her magic for the win.
“Nobody liked the conditions,” said the Dutch Olympian who set a meet record taking the ’21 title. “Our hands were wet, the discs were wet and we were wet. The only thing I was interested in was winning. Alexandra made it challenging. And I had a little technical problem with swinging my arm too far back. My coach helped me correct it.”
Almost everybody’s efforts were compromised by the wet, heavy conditions. Texas Tech’s Malin Smith led the first, dry flight with a PR 186-3 (56.78) on her second toss. Teammate Seasons Usual had opened at 181-7 (55.36), which would remain her best and suffice for 5th.
Splitting Smith and Usual was Oklahoma senior Lauren Jones who opened at 188-11 (55.14) in the rain, and then improved to 181-11 (55.45) on her second try, which would hold up for 4th.
KU’s Emilianov seemed to be enjoying herself, though not the conditions. Before she would enter the ring each time, she’d do a couple of little pop-ups, then walk quickly to the back of the ring and proceed with her technique: “Every throw I thought felt like a big one, but then I would look where it landed… and it wasn’t.”
WOMEN’S DISCUS RESULTS
(June 11)
1. Jorinde Van Klinken’ (AzSt-Neth) 203-11 (62.16)
(188-11, f, 190-6, f, 203-11, 194-3) (57.59, f, 58.06, f, 62.16, 59.20);
2. Alexandra Emilianov’ (Ks-Mol) 191-9 (58.44)
(181-8, 186-10, 185-1, 185-8, 191-9, f) (55.39, 56.95, 56.41, 56.61, 58.44, f);
3. *Malin Smith (TxT) 186-3 (56.78)
(f, 186-3, f, f, f, f) (f, 56.78, f, f, f, f);
4. Lauren Jones (Ok) 181-11 (55.45)
(180-11, 181-11, 169-11, 173-10, 176-7, f) (55.14, 55.45, 51.79, 52.99, 53.82, f);
5. Seasons Usual (TxT) 181-7 (55.36)
(181-7, 180-0, 164-11, f, f, f) (55.36, 54.87, 50.27, f, f, f);
6. ***Shelby Frank (Mn) 180-0 (54.87)
(156-3, 177-9, 152-6, 165-2, 174-3, 180-0) (47.64, 54.18, 46.49, 50.34, 53.11, 54.87);
7. Debbie Ajagbe (Mia) 179-2 (54.63)
(179-2, 164-2, 176-11, f, 173-4, 170-6) (54.63, 50.05, 53.93, f, 52.84, 51.97);
8. *Emily March (IaSt) 178-3 (54.35)
(f, 173-10, 178-1, 178-3, 174-0, f) (f, 52.99, 54.29, 54.35, 53.05, f);
9. **Jaida Ross (Or) 176-8 (53.84); 10. Divine Oladipo’ (Vand-GB) 176-4 (53.74); 11. *Essence Henderson (VaT) 175-10 (53.60); 12. Alyssa Wilson (TxSt) 175-8 (53.54); 13. *Kaia Harris (Pur) 175-0 (53.34); 14. Corinne Jemison (Mi) 174-7 (53.22); 15. *Ashley Anumba (Va) 171-5 (52.24); 16. **Amani Heaven (FlSt) 171-5 (52.24); 17. **Maura Huwalt (Aub) 164-4 (50.10); 18. Gabrielle Bailey’ (Kent-Jam) 164-4 (50.10); 19. *Sable Lohmeier (BYU) 164-3 (50.07); 20. *Beatrice Asomaning (Wa) 155-2 (47.31); 21. **Adrienne Adams (UCF) 151-1 (46.06); 22. Kristian Jackson (SELa) 148-7 (45.29);… 3f—****Cierra Jackson (Fres), **Jayden Ulrich (In). ◻︎