NCAA Women’s Shot — Lesnar’s First-Round Strike

Senior Mya Lesnar blasted a 62-footer out of the gate and won by just over half a foot. (KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT)

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

(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).