THE NEWLY CROWNED U.S. women’s javelin champion arrived in the interview zone and said she was “ecstatic” and “shaking” and “had cried [with joy] a few times.”
But the fact is that Evie Bliss has proven she belongs at this level.
Just over a year ago, barely 19 and having just finished her frosh year at Bucknell, Bliss threw a PR 183-2 (55.82) and placed 6th in the OT. She had already represented Team USA at the ’23 Pan-Am Juniors, where she won silver. She won another international medal later in ’24 when she claimed bronze at the World U20 in Peru, having defended her U.S. Junior title before the Trials.
But Bliss’s huge breakthrough came this season just 5 days before Eugene at the World University Games in Germany. “Just hoping to make the final,” she rifled a massive PR 199-6 (60.81) to qualify first, then had the then-second-best throw of her life at 188-2 (57.37) to claim another silver.
Hence, Bliss came here as the new U.S. leader suddenly up to No. 3 on the T&FN formchart behind Trials 3rd- and 5th-place finishers Madison Wiltrout and ’23 champ Maddie Harris. Throwing last, Wiltrout took the lead with her first attempt of 182-2 (55.53) and, through two rounds, it seemed plausible she might lead wire-to-wire. Then Bliss hit a 189-6 (57.77) (the new second-best throw of her life) and everything changed.
Wiltrout fouled her 3rd attempt, then reached just 177-1 (53.98) on her fourth while Bliss backed up her big throw with a 188-9 (57.53). The Tar Heel alum improved to 185-3 (56.46) on her final throw, but that only closed the gap slightly. Bliss fouled her last attempt, raised her arms in victory, then sprinted to the stands to hug Bucknell coach Ryan Protzman.
“I’m so blessed and so grateful,” she said, noting that she’s been able to bring a lot more speed to her throws this year. She said her big efforts in Germany confirmed she had reached a new level. “Then was when I realized I was in the range of where I thought I’d be a year from now.”
Sarah Blake was 3rd behind Wiltrout with 183-1 (55.80), ahead of Kelsi Oldroyd, Harris and Ari Ince (36 and a veteran of 4 WC teams).
With 3-time champ and 3-time Olympian Maddie Malone Hardin missing the meet while recovering from injury and illness, Ince was the only entrant with a career best close to the WC standard of 210-0 (64.00). Going into the USAs, Wiltrout stood 30th in the WA rankings and Bliss 62nd, with a field of 36 to be filled. Three weeks remain to achieve qualifying marks or improve standing.
WOMEN’S JAVELIN RESULTS
(July 31)
1. Evie Bliss (Buck) 189-6 (57.77)
(178-1, 160-7, 189-6, 188-9, 176-4, f) (54.28, 48.96, 57.77, 57.53, 53.74, f);
2. Madison Wiltrout (unat) 185-3 (56.46)
(182-2, 183-4, f, 177-1, 181-3, 185-3) (55.53, 55.88, f, 53.98, 55.24, 56.46);
3. Sarah Blake (unat) 183-1 (55.80)
(178-3, 169-6, 174-3, 174-2, 183-1, 176-5) (54.35, 51.66, 53.13, 53.10, 55.80, 53.78);
4. Kelsi Oldroyd (UtV) 181-6 (55.32)
(181-6, 161-11, 165-2, 176-3, 180-5, 163-10) (55.32, 49.35, 50.34, 53.72, 55.01, 49.94);
5. Madelyn Harris (unat) 181-0
(55.17) (172-0, 181-0, 178-6, f, 165-7, 174-0) (52.42, 55.17, 54.42, f, 50.48, 53.05);
6. Ariana Ince (Velaasa) 172-11 (52.70)
(f, 159-1, 172-11, f, f, 167-6) (f, 48.49, 52.70, f, f, 51.05);
7. Jada Green (unat) 167-9 (51.15); 8. Emma Yungeberg (Mi) 166-1 (50.62); 9. Elizabeth Bailey (Vand) 163-10 (49.95); 10. Casey Bogues (unat) 160-11 (49.05); 11. Erin Tack (Az) 155-11 (47.53); 12. Julia Campezato (Velaasa) 143-0 (43.59).
