WITH THE TRIO which had finished ahead of her at the indoor championships injured or out of eligibility, Colorado State senior Mya Lesnar emerged as the favorite in a wide-open event. Ole Miss soph Akaoma Odeluga had been a consistent 60-plus thrower, while East Regional winner Gracelyn Leiseth (Florida) and discus record claimant Jayden Ulrich (Louisville) were capable challengers.
The final became a game of catch-as-catch-can. On her first attempt in round 1, Lesnar spun quickly across the ring and unloaded a 62-4½ (19.01) mark that would eventually suffice for the victory. She reacted appropriately, with great joy.
Less physically dominant than all but a very few of her competitors, Lesnar — the daughter of noted wrestler Brock Lesnar — is endowed with speed, strength and a quick release that gives her an advantage against others who may not exhibit her technical proficiency.
During the next 2½ hours, her competitors did all they could to catch and pass her. Texas soph Nina Ndubuisi was 2nd after the first round with her 60-4½ (18.40), and improved in the third to 60-8½ (18.50), but could get no closer, and had to settle for 3rd.
Illinois senior Abria Smith opened with a 60-3 (18.36), improved to 60-10½ (18.55) and then a threatening 61-10¼ (18.85), but she was unable to extend that in the final three rounds and finished a close 2nd.
Discus specialist Ulrich recorded a 59-11 (18.26) in the round 4 to finish 4th, and USC frosh Ashley Erasmus helped her team’s scoring chances with an unexpected 59-¼ (17.99) in 5th. Leiseth and Odeluga both suffered through very sub-par days, managing only 56-6½ (17.23) and 56-2¾ (17.14), for 10th and 12th, respectively.
For her part, Lesnar produced an excellent series, with a 61-11 (18.87) that would have won the event plus three more throws at 59-10½ (18.25) or better.
Colorado State’s second woman NCAA outdoor champion was understandably overjoyed with her result. “I just went in calm, hit my cues. There are a lot of emotions. I don’t think it’s set in yet, but I’m very, very happy with the progress I’ve made at CSU. I would not be where I am without coach Brian Bedard, family and teammates. This 100% goes out to my coach. There’s been a lot of ups and downs that we’ve had together and we’ve worked through, and we have the best relationship.”
WOMEN’S SHOT RESULTS
FINAL (June 12)
1. Mya Lesnar (CoSt) 62-4½ (19.01)
(62-4½, 60-½, 61-11, 58-10¾, 60-8½, 59-10½) (19.01, 18.30, 18.87, 17.95, 18.50, 18.25);
2. Abria Smith (Il) 61-10¼ (18.85)
(60-3, 60-10½, 61-10¼, 59-3½, 60-3¼, 60-10) (18.36, 18.55, 18.85, 18.07, 18.37, 18.54);
3. **Nina Ndubuisi’ (Tx-Ger) 60-8½ (18.50)
(60-4½, 56-8½, 60-8½, f, f, f) (18.40, 17.28, 18.50, f, f, f);
4. Jayden Ulrich (Louis) 59-11 (18.26)
(55-5, 54-1¼, 57-4¼, 59-11, 57-8½, f) (16.89, 16.49, 17.48, 18.26, 17.59, f);
5. ***Ashley Erasmus’ (USC-SA) 59-¼ (17.99)
(59-¼, 58-5¼, f, 58-8¾, f, f) (17.99, 17.81, f, 17.90, f, f);
6. Kelsie Murrell-Ross’ (Ga-Grn) 58-4¾ (17.80)
(56-11½, 57-2¼, f, 57-7¾, 58-4¾, f) (17.36, 17.43, f, 17.57, 17.80, f);
7. MyeJoi Williams (Al) 58-2 (17.73)
(51-9¼, f, 57-2¼, 55-9, 57-8¼, 58-2) (15.78, f, 17.43, 16.99, 17.58, 17.73);
8. Cierra Jackson (Fres) 58-1 (17.70)
(58-1, 53-3, f, 51-8½, 54-½, 55-8¼) (17.70, 16.23, f, 15.76, 16.47, 16.97);
9. *Alida Van Daalen’ (Fl-Neth) 56-7½ (17.26); 10. **Gracelyn Leiseth (Fl) 56-6½ (17.23); 11. Chrystal Herpin (Tx) 56-4¾ (17.19); 12. **Akaoma Odeluga (Ms) 56-2¾ (17.14); 13. *Megan Hague (Aub) 56-0 (17.07); 14. **Elizabeth Tapper (Mi) 55-8¼ (16.97); 15. *Makayla Hunter (In) 55-3¾ (16.86); 16. *Tapenisa Havea’ (Az-NZ) 54-8¼ (16.67); 17. Kalynn Meyer (Nb) 54-8 (16.66); 18. *Melanie Duron’ (TxSt-Mex) 54-5¼ (16.59); 19. **Kellyn Kortemeyer (Nb) 54-4¾ (16.58); 20. *Treneese Hamilton’ (Al-Dom) 54-2½ (16.52); 21. ***Abigail Russell (Mi) 53-9 (16.38); 22. **Lucija Leko’ (Cal-Cro) 53-3¾ (16.25); 23. Amanda Ngandu-Ntumba’ (Cinc-Fra) 52-8 (16.05); 24. Gretchen Hoekstre (BYU) 52-1¼ (15.88).
