Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Kevin Bedard
Lawrence places third in women's discus at NCAA Outdoor Championships
6/8/2019 7:32:00 PM | Track & Field
Bedard gives Rams a pair of All-Americans in the event
Austin, Texas. – The rhythm of her season never came to Shadae Lawrence inside Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium on Saturday at the University of Texas.
The senior transfer, who had thrown a national best 213-5 to win the Mountain West Championships, placed third at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, while teammate Kelcey Bedard placed 11th to give the Rams a pair of All-Americans in the event.
"Technically, there were a few things she was struggling a little with today, and she was pressing a little bit," CSU head coach Brian Bedard said of Lawrence. "She wanted to win so badly that I think she got out of her technique a little bit. She was a little tall on her legs and not hitting a great position to throw from, was not working her discus over a long path."
Lawrence, the 2017 national discus champion and Jamaican national champion, posted her best throw of the day in the second round of the championship flight, a 197-11 to nail down her final placement. She is a four-time first-team All-American, having taken third as a freshman and was the national runner-up in 2018 while at Kansas State. She had six throws of 200 feet or longer on the year, but came up short of the barrier the final weekend.
Iowa junior Laulauga Tausaga won the title with a throw of 207-6, which came on her second attempt of the qualifying flight. Shanice Love of Florida State, who cracked 200 three times, was second at 205-8. Coach Bedard felt their throws – both personal bests – were exceptional considering the heat index hit 104 inside the stadium.
"Hats off to the Iowa and Florida State girls, because they threw lifetime bests in those conditions," he said. "They were ready to go. I've got nothing but respect for those girls, competing that well."
Kelcey's final toss of the opening flight sailed 179-10, the third-best of the round and good enough to place her 11th, earning her second-team All-American honors. It is the second consecutive year she has earned the distinction, having accomplished it in the hammer throw in 2018.
"We thought her throw would give her a chance to maybe make a final," her father said. "She just missed out by a couple of feet. I'm proud of the way they battled. Kelcey, I'm really proud of the way she competed. Shadae is obviously heartbroken."
Lawrence's twin sister, Shardia, was competing at the same time for the Wildcats and came away with her first national championship by winning the triple jump at 45-10.75.
The last time Colorado State's women had a pair of All-Americans in an event, it was the discus in 2014, with Kiah Hicks and Jessica Sharbono both placing in the top 14.
Over the four-day event, the Rams earned six All-American honors (three honorable mention), the second-best output in program history.
The senior transfer, who had thrown a national best 213-5 to win the Mountain West Championships, placed third at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, while teammate Kelcey Bedard placed 11th to give the Rams a pair of All-Americans in the event.
"Technically, there were a few things she was struggling a little with today, and she was pressing a little bit," CSU head coach Brian Bedard said of Lawrence. "She wanted to win so badly that I think she got out of her technique a little bit. She was a little tall on her legs and not hitting a great position to throw from, was not working her discus over a long path."
Lawrence, the 2017 national discus champion and Jamaican national champion, posted her best throw of the day in the second round of the championship flight, a 197-11 to nail down her final placement. She is a four-time first-team All-American, having taken third as a freshman and was the national runner-up in 2018 while at Kansas State. She had six throws of 200 feet or longer on the year, but came up short of the barrier the final weekend.Iowa junior Laulauga Tausaga won the title with a throw of 207-6, which came on her second attempt of the qualifying flight. Shanice Love of Florida State, who cracked 200 three times, was second at 205-8. Coach Bedard felt their throws – both personal bests – were exceptional considering the heat index hit 104 inside the stadium.
"Hats off to the Iowa and Florida State girls, because they threw lifetime bests in those conditions," he said. "They were ready to go. I've got nothing but respect for those girls, competing that well."
Kelcey's final toss of the opening flight sailed 179-10, the third-best of the round and good enough to place her 11th, earning her second-team All-American honors. It is the second consecutive year she has earned the distinction, having accomplished it in the hammer throw in 2018.
"We thought her throw would give her a chance to maybe make a final," her father said. "She just missed out by a couple of feet. I'm proud of the way they battled. Kelcey, I'm really proud of the way she competed. Shadae is obviously heartbroken."
Lawrence's twin sister, Shardia, was competing at the same time for the Wildcats and came away with her first national championship by winning the triple jump at 45-10.75.
The last time Colorado State's women had a pair of All-Americans in an event, it was the discus in 2014, with Kiah Hicks and Jessica Sharbono both placing in the top 14.
Over the four-day event, the Rams earned six All-American honors (three honorable mention), the second-best output in program history.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & FieldMya Lesnar - 2025 Outdoor Shot Put National Champion
Friday, June 20
CSU T&F: Mya Lesnar Post NCAA Nationals
Friday, June 13
CSU T&F: Kajsa Borrman Post NCAA Nationals
Thursday, June 12
CSU T&F Pre-Nationals Press Conference: Brian Bedard
Thursday, June 05