Seniors Shine in One Last Shot

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There are not many times people can say they've been a part of history.

For Mya Lesnar's one last shot during the last home meet of the outdoor season, those in witness can say they have. Smashing the facility record for shotput of 18.08-meters/59-feet-4.0 meters with 19.60/64-3.5, simultaneously taking control of No. 1 in the NCAA season rankings. It also puts her among the top three performers in NCAA outdoor history.

The moment was in slo-mo. As the solid iron ball passed the pink threshold representing the facility record, the three sets of filled bleachers by the throwing circle erupted.

However, everyone knew she could do it – after all, she got a comparable mark during last year's season. But the moment wasn't special because of her broken records, rather because of those who were there to see it.

"I got very emotional," Lesnar said. "Not because of my mark, but because all my family got to be here, even my dog. I have a couple more months to focus on track and I've sacrificed a lot to do this. The support from my teammates and boyfriend, it's been great."

The senior doesn't compete at the home track often, as home meets often line up with her scheduled rest. So, when the opportunity for one last shot presented itself, it was too good to pass up.

Coach Brian Bedard has seen Lesnar throughout her three years on the roster. Because the Fort Collins community doesn't get to see her in person for many meets, the stars aligned in the perfect way.

"We wanted to set it up to be a special day," Bedard said. "I needed to look for something to motivate her, which was the facility record. I wanted to bring in some bleachers have someone run the event, a good official. We wanted to see her go out at a home meet and have a lot of people be able to see her compete and see how special she is."

As the pressure of a record soon fell off her shoulders, Lesnar still approached each throw the same way – a place of improvement.

It could be tweaking foot placement or focusing on a specific element but there is always something to change.

"I have to be confident at this age and this level" Lesnar said. "It's senior day and I only have two more months of my college career. At this point, I have nothing to lose. I'm super proud to be a Ram and excited to do it at our home track."

As her collegiate career soon dissipates before the championship part of the outdoor season, the possibility of a professional career in the sport becomes less of a dream and more of a reality.

At this point, it's all about support. Support in what she knows she can do and for her future endeavors.

"It helps with qualifying standards for major meets like the World Championships," Bedard said. "You have to hit a certain standard to be able to go to those meets. This just helps her credibility as she graduates from CSU and forges her way to the professional world of shot put."

As collegiate endeavors fade into the background and the world opens up a bit bigger, remembering where you came from remains paramount.

"(To my freshman self,) I would say to have no fear," Lesnar said. "Go out there and do it. Honestly, I have nothing to lose. I only need to prove it to myself that I can do this, nobody else. And that's exactly what I did."

Lesnar was far from the only Ram to deliver impressive performances on Saturday. Ndayiragije Shukurani stole the show in the men's high jump recording the first seven-foot mark of his young career. The freshman recorded an outstanding 2.14/7-0.25 to move into solo second in the Colorado State record book. Shukurani also finished second in the triple jump, recording one jump under the wind assistance threshold at 15.13/49-7.5 to move to tenth all-time in the record book.

Also lighting it up was sprinter Cole Nordman who made the most of his senior day. The former walk-on recorded a personal best in the 110 hurdles with a 13.76 to move to second all-time in Colorado State history. Additionally, Nordman recorded a personal best in the 100 at 10.32 to move into a tie for third in school history. Both marks currently sit within the qualifying threshold for regionals.

Another senior who showed out was Neya Jamison, recording a personal best 58.18 in the 400 hurdles. Jamison, who was already well within the regional qualifying threshold before today, now finds herself in an even better place headed into conference. Also making a name for herself in the event was freshman Grace Lanfear, who ran a 59.48 to move to seventh all-time in the CSU record book.

Women's triple jump was another bright spot for the Rams with both Kylee Kielian and Mali Stermer setting personal bests. Kielian's 12.07/39-7 finished third place on the day and moved her to eighth place in school history. Stermer finished just behind at 11.84/38-10 to move to 13th.

Also recording a personal best on the day was Adam Hellbom in the hammer throw with a mark of 64.45/211-5.25, to finish fifth place in a loaded field. Additionally, Leonardo Ramos recorded a personal best 17.97/58-11.25 in the shot put, moving to eighth in the record book.

Colorado State track and field gets a two week break before the Mountain West Outdoor Championships (May 15-17). The women will look to defend their title from last year while the reigning indoor champion men look for a season sweep.

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Players Mentioned

Adam Hellbom

Neya Jamison

Kylee Kielian

Grace Lanfear

Mya Lesnar

Cole Nordman

Ndayiragije Shukurani

Mali Stermer