EUGENE, Ore. – Senior Jianna Williams earned First-Team All-America honors, after she finished seventh in the women's hammer throw with a mark of 62.89 meters (206-04) at the 2015 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships Thursday.
Williams fouled on her first attempt, but recorded a solid effort of 62.04 meters (204-09) on her second throw of the series before fouling on her third attempt. Her mark sent her into the finals and gave her three more throws, the first two of which came up short of her previous mark. However, on her sixth and final throw of the night, Williams increased her mark by nearly two feet and secured a top-8 finish for All-American status.
"Jianna showed up and had a great day at the NCAA Championships," said Illinois State Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Jeff Bovee. She had a good series today and threw her second best throw mark in the hammer. Jianna made a big step this year compared from last year at Eugene." Â
Not only did Williams compete in the hammer throw Thursday, she also competed in the shot put competition. Williams ultimately finished 15th overall with a mark of 15.93 meters (53-03.25), which she set on her third and final throw of the series.
Last year, Williams finished 19th overall to earn All-American Honorable Mention honors in the hammer throw with a toss of 57.22 meters (187-09) at the NCAA Championships.
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