Colorado State University Athletics
Thursday, June 8
Austin, TX
Colorado State
at
NCAA Championships
McDonald Earns Second Team All-American Honors in Women’s Shot Put
6/8/2023 9:51:00 PM | Track & Field
Two Colorado State throwers finish in top 20 at the NCAA Championship Meet
AUSTIN, Tex. – Continuing into day two of the NCAA Championship Meet in Austin, Texas Thursday night, the Colorado State track and field team boasted two athletes competing in the women's shot put event. Both Gabi McDonald and Mya Lesnar finished their 2023 outdoor seasons on a high note with McDonald placing 12th and earning second-team All-American honors and Lesnar finishing 17th.
Setting a personal record in the process, McDonald threw a mark of 17.24 meters on her final throw of the competition to jump herself into twelfth place and earn her second All-American title of the season, being named to the women's shot put second-team during the indoor season as well. The 2023 Outdoor Mountain West women's shot put champion couldn't have ended her season better.
"Gabi hit an outdoor best throw for her in the biggest meet of her life," head coach Brian Bedard said. "I can't ask for much more than that!"
Now sitting in second place all-time within the CSU record book, Bedard went on to say how Gabi came over to him after her final throw and was already looking forward to next season, saying 'I'm coming back next year to earn first-team All-American and I'm coming for that school record.'
Lesnar also had a successful night during her first NCAA Championship appearance. Her best mark of the night, 16.72 meters, came on her second throw before the sophomore scratched her third throw to finish 17th overall in the nation.
"Mya and I still need to work on channeling her competitive fire," Bedard said. "We've been working on managing it during competition better, but she got a bit too fired up while she was throwing, leading to her missing some of her technical cues. But overall, what an awesome season she's had, and I know she has a superstar future for the Rams!"
Day three of the NCAA Championship Meet will take place tomorrow featuring Allam Bushara in the men's triple jump before McDonald returns again to compete in the women's discus Saturday night alongside teammate Klaire Kovatch.
Setting a personal record in the process, McDonald threw a mark of 17.24 meters on her final throw of the competition to jump herself into twelfth place and earn her second All-American title of the season, being named to the women's shot put second-team during the indoor season as well. The 2023 Outdoor Mountain West women's shot put champion couldn't have ended her season better.
"Gabi hit an outdoor best throw for her in the biggest meet of her life," head coach Brian Bedard said. "I can't ask for much more than that!"
Now sitting in second place all-time within the CSU record book, Bedard went on to say how Gabi came over to him after her final throw and was already looking forward to next season, saying 'I'm coming back next year to earn first-team All-American and I'm coming for that school record.'
Lesnar also had a successful night during her first NCAA Championship appearance. Her best mark of the night, 16.72 meters, came on her second throw before the sophomore scratched her third throw to finish 17th overall in the nation.
"Mya and I still need to work on channeling her competitive fire," Bedard said. "We've been working on managing it during competition better, but she got a bit too fired up while she was throwing, leading to her missing some of her technical cues. But overall, what an awesome season she's had, and I know she has a superstar future for the Rams!"
Day three of the NCAA Championship Meet will take place tomorrow featuring Allam Bushara in the men's triple jump before McDonald returns again to compete in the women's discus Saturday night alongside teammate Klaire Kovatch.
Players Mentioned
Jumps
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Throws
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Throws
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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