Fresno State Athletics
Thursday, June 10
Eugene, OR
4:45 p.m. PT (women's javelin)
Fresno State
vs
NCAA Championships
Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Spaic places fourth at NCAA Outdoor Championships
6/10/2021 9:58:00 PM | Track & Field
EUGENE, Ore. – When you have one last competition in your career, leaving it all out there is the goal. Vanja Spaic did just that on Thursday evening, landing a new personal best and finishing fourth in the javelin at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field.
After a foul on her opening attempt, Spaic let a one fly on her second. The result on the board was 55.06m/180-8, a mark that was more than nine feet farther than her best this season (52.31m/171-7), seven feet farther than her school record (52.39m/173-8) and just over five feet farther than her personal best and Bosnian national record (53.50m/175-6). The throw moved Spaic up to first in the opening flight, a spot she held through the third round of throws.
The Bulldog then had to wait more than an hour to find out if she would make the finals and have a shot at earning First Team All-America honors for the first time in her career. As the rounds progressed, Spaic was passed just three times, securing her spot in the finals.
While the sixth-year senior was unable to top her second attempt during the finals, no one else could pass it either as she finished the event in fourth. It was the highest finish ever by Fresno State woman in the javelin and is tied for the second-best finish by an athlete in any event at outdoor nationals in Fresno State women's program history.
Notes
Joe Riccio, Fresno State Throws Coach
On today's result...
"This week has been great coming with an attitude of confidence and remaining clam. We knew she is capable of doing something special so we are both very happy that it came on this, the biggest stage of the collegiate season."
On the goal...
"The goal was to win her flight which we knew would take a big performance and she had it in her mind that today was day. We really dialed in her approach and when that happens, all that's left is to let it fly."
On how Spaic finished her career...
"I'm very proud of her mind and determination. This is only the beginning of her potential and I'm happy she will be leaving knowing she's capable of greatness."
Vanja Spaic, Senior, Javelin
On the feeling after throwing a new personal best on on her second attempt...
"I felt amazing throwing a new PB and school record. I knew I had it in me and I could see this competition ending without me throwing a new PB so it was a relief and excitement to finally throw it."
On what was going through her mind after her flight and having to wait through the second flight...
"I knew that 55 meters will be in finals. It was frustrating to wait an hour and a half to throw again. I have never done that before. It was new and I knew it would be difficult to throw again after the break but I tried my best to continue in finals."
On earning First Team All-America in the last meet of her career...
"It felt amazing to finally be All-American and doing this in my last meet for the Bulldogs is so special for me. I made sure to do my best to represent my Bulldog family and finally throw a new school record. I couldn't imagine it any other way. I couldn't handle not throwing anything less and that is why it happened. I am so happy to do this for my Bulldog family and finish this chapter with a new school record."
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FS_TracknField
Instagram: FS_TracknField
After a foul on her opening attempt, Spaic let a one fly on her second. The result on the board was 55.06m/180-8, a mark that was more than nine feet farther than her best this season (52.31m/171-7), seven feet farther than her school record (52.39m/173-8) and just over five feet farther than her personal best and Bosnian national record (53.50m/175-6). The throw moved Spaic up to first in the opening flight, a spot she held through the third round of throws.
The Bulldog then had to wait more than an hour to find out if she would make the finals and have a shot at earning First Team All-America honors for the first time in her career. As the rounds progressed, Spaic was passed just three times, securing her spot in the finals.
While the sixth-year senior was unable to top her second attempt during the finals, no one else could pass it either as she finished the event in fourth. It was the highest finish ever by Fresno State woman in the javelin and is tied for the second-best finish by an athlete in any event at outdoor nationals in Fresno State women's program history.
Notes
- Entered Thursday's event with the 21st-longest throw this season among the 24 competitors.
- Thursday marked Spaic's first appearance at outdoor nationals in 36 months after she redshirted the 2019 season due to injury and the 2020 season was canceled.
- The First Team All-America honor is the first of Spaic's career after earning Second Team in both 2017 and 2018.
- Spaic became the second female Bulldog to earn three All-American honors in a career in the javelin, joining Mallory Webb (2004, 2006, 2007). Todd Reich, a javelin national champion, is the only other athlete in Fresno State history to be a three-time All-American in the event.
- Her fourth-place finish at nationals is the highest of any Fresno State female javelin thrower. The highest was previously fifth which was set by Danene Bitter in 1991.
- The fourth-place finish is the second highest by a female Bulldog athlete at NCAA Outdoor Championships. Dot Jones also finished fourth in the shot put in 1985. Only Lacy Barnes finished higher, earning there runner-up finishes in the (1985, 1987, 1988).
Joe Riccio, Fresno State Throws Coach
On today's result...
"This week has been great coming with an attitude of confidence and remaining clam. We knew she is capable of doing something special so we are both very happy that it came on this, the biggest stage of the collegiate season."
On the goal...
"The goal was to win her flight which we knew would take a big performance and she had it in her mind that today was day. We really dialed in her approach and when that happens, all that's left is to let it fly."
On how Spaic finished her career...
"I'm very proud of her mind and determination. This is only the beginning of her potential and I'm happy she will be leaving knowing she's capable of greatness."
Vanja Spaic, Senior, Javelin
On the feeling after throwing a new personal best on on her second attempt...
"I felt amazing throwing a new PB and school record. I knew I had it in me and I could see this competition ending without me throwing a new PB so it was a relief and excitement to finally throw it."
On what was going through her mind after her flight and having to wait through the second flight...
"I knew that 55 meters will be in finals. It was frustrating to wait an hour and a half to throw again. I have never done that before. It was new and I knew it would be difficult to throw again after the break but I tried my best to continue in finals."
On earning First Team All-America in the last meet of her career...
"It felt amazing to finally be All-American and doing this in my last meet for the Bulldogs is so special for me. I made sure to do my best to represent my Bulldog family and finally throw a new school record. I couldn't imagine it any other way. I couldn't handle not throwing anything less and that is why it happened. I am so happy to do this for my Bulldog family and finish this chapter with a new school record."
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FS_TracknField
Instagram: FS_TracknField
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