FIVE OF THE ENTRANTS had broken 70m (229-8) during the season, and each was a legitimate candidate to take the title. Three of them started strongly, Shelby Frank of Texas Tech taking the early lead with her 228-3 (69.59) opener. She was jumped a few throws later by Texas State’s Lara Roberts, who went 229-6 (69.97). Emma Robbins of Oklahoma State sat 3rd after her initial offering of 227-3 (69.27).
The other two contenders, ’23 champion Stephanie Ratcliffe and West Point cadet Emily Fink, stumbled a bit out of the gate, which was interesting because they probably had more at stake than the others. (Details to follow in “Last Lap.”)
Fink was the first thrower in her flight, and she stepped in for round 2 determined to reach a distance that would at least guarantee her 6 throws. Unfortunately, she was called for a foul at the front of the ring. Her coach, Brian Woodbury, protested, but to no avail. One more misfire and she was done.
Frank notched another solid attempt, 227-4 (69.31), after which her coach, Cliff Felkins, guaranteed she would throw 71m if she just kept plugging away.
Roberts improved to 231-0 (70.42), and Ratcliffe jumped in the fray with a 228-6 (69.64) toss that vaulted her to 2nd.
Round 3 began with Fink launching a throw that looked to be 70m, but once again she was called for a foul. Video replay showed her heels hovering over the top of the ring as she released the implement, but they did not appear to touch down. Once again, Woodbury protested, and once again he was denied. It was a devastating end to a remarkable college career. Woodbury believes that Fink is talented enough to be an Olympian. “If she can throw 71m taking 19 credits and sleeping 4 hours a night,” he asked, “what could she do if she trained like a normal thrower?” Stay tuned.
Frank, plugging away as directed, hit 229-4 (69.90) that round to knock Ratcliffe to 3rd. This left Roberts in the lead and Robbins in 4th.
In round 4, Ratcliffe made her move, dropping a 234-2 (71.37) season’s best to take the lead.
There were no more changes in the standings until round 6 when Frank, still plugging, popped a 233-1 (71.05) PR to jump into 2nd and make her coach look like a genius. “Felkins told me to have faith and go in and just move the ball,” she explained afterwards. “I smiled before I got in the ring, just thankful to be here at my last national meet. Then I got in and moved the ball. And it went 71m!”
Roberts, the final thrower of the comp, could not answer, and finished 3rd. She’ll be off to the World University Games this summer, representing Australia, and has 2 more years of eligibility, as does Cal’s Giavonna Meeks, who came out of the first flight and smashed a PR of 226-2 (68.94) to take 5th behind Robbins.
WOMEN’S HAMMER RESULTS
(June 12)
1. Stephanie Ratcliffe’ (Ga-Aus) 234-2 (71.37)
(217-7, 228-6, 221-6, 234-2, 229-0, 229-5) (66.33, 69.64, 67.51, 71.37, 69.81, 69.92);
2. Shelby Frank (TxT) 233-1 (71.05) PR (10, x AmC)
(228-3, 227-4, 229-4, 219-0, 221-10, 233-1) (69.59, 69.31, 69.90, 66.77, 67.63, 71.05);
3. **Lara Roberts’ (TxSt-Aus) 231-0 (70.42)
(229-6, 231-0, 225-1, 220-9, 220-0, 218-10) (69.97, 70.42, 68.61, 67.28, 67.07, 66.70);
4. Emma Robbins (OkSt) 227-3 (69.27)
(227-3, 215-4, f, 217-3, f, 222-8) (69.27, 65.63, f, 66.23, f, 67.87);
5. **Giavonna Meeks (Cal) 226-2 (68.94) PR
(203-3, 219-4, 185-1, 220-5, 226-2, 215-0) (61.95, 66.87, 56.41, 67.18, 68.94, 65.55);
6. Guðrún Hallgrímsdóttir’ (VaC-Ice) 225-3 (68.66)
(220-6, 225-3, 219-3, 219-3, 216-6, 212-5) (67.20, 68.66, 66.84, 66.83, 65.98, 64.75);
7. Kenna Curry (ND) 223-7 (68.16) PR
(223-7, f, 205-0, 213-9, 213-6, f) (68.16, f, 62.49, 65.17, 65.09, f);
8. Chloe Lindeman (Wi) 222-6 (67.82)
(222-1, 218-10, 222-6, 215-6, f, 213-9) (67.70, 66.70, 67.82, 65.68, f, 65.15);
9. **Emilia Kolokotroni’ (Harv-Cyp) 222-6 (67.82) PR; 10. ***Valentina Savva’ (Cal-Cyp) 219-3 (66.84); 11. **Mariana Pestana’ (VaT-Por) 217-10 (66.41); 12. Monique Hardy (KsSt) 213-9 (65.17); 13. *Kali Terza (KennSt) 213-2 (64.98); 14. Annika Kelly’ (Va-Est) 212-10 (64.87); 15. Chioma Njoku (Md) 212-9 (64.86); 16. *Paola Bueno’ (Lib-Mex) 212-6 (64.78); 17. ***Marie Rougetet’ (MsSt-Fra) 212-2 (64.66); 18. **Audrey Jacobs’ (Cal-Neth) 209-1 (63.74); 19. Kassidy Gallagher (Ok) 208-3 (63.47); 20. **Kennedy Clarke (Ok) 207-10 (63.36); 21. **Kajsa Borrman’ (CoSt-Swe) 207-3 (63.19); 22. Emily Fink (Army) 204-1 (62.20); 23. **Kate Powers (Ky) 197-2 (60.10);… 3f—**Skylar Soli (Ms).
