Amaechi Takes Seventh in the Discus at NCAA Championships

Wednesday, June 6

Eugene, Ore.

All Day

Princeton University

NCAA Championships

Photo by: Beverly Schaefer

Amaechi Takes Seventh in the Discus at NCAA Championships

June 09, 2018 | Women's Track and Field

Results

EUGENE, Ore. (6/9/18) - The weather hasn't been on Obiageri Amaechi's side during the post season. After a lightning delay in the middle of the NCAA East Regionals tried to dissuade her efforts, today in the finals deluge of rain began as the competitors in flight 2 began at the NCAA Track & Field Outdoor Championship.

"I was nervous for the fact that it's just a really big competition," Amaechi said after the meet. "I'm used to competing under rough conditions, there was at ECACs, NCAA East. This was something I was not exactly prepared for. There was hail and it was raining super hard and it affected people's performances."

Just like in Tampa, the weather issues didn't dampen Amaechi's power. With her first throw during a downpour she hit 46.17 (151-) to immediately vault into 11th place. She had a foul on her second attempt and went into her final throw of the flight knowing she would need about a 53-meter throw to move into the top nine that would advance to the final for three more attempts. She did even better. Amaechi threw a 54.16 (177-8) to jump into eighth place. None of the final seven competitors would be able to outdo her positioning as she advanced.

After warmups another system of rain dropped down on Historic Hayward Field and the five of the nine throwers fouling in round four. In her fifth attempt, the disc slipped in her hand and landed at 38.87 (127-6) near the right foul line. On her final attempt she hit 53.70 (176-2) and maintained her standing to finish seventh in her first NCAA discus championship.

"The most important things I learned was how to remain calm under great pressure," Amaechi said as she watched the other competitors exchange top throws. "To be able to throw under great pressure, it's really important to have control over your mind."

Amaechi is the first Tiger to advance to the NCAA Championships in the discus. She was third at the NCAA East Regionals and was the Ivy Heps runner-up and ECAC Champion. She set the Princeton record in her very first outing and continued to improve all season to finish with a PR of 55.92.

"Competing well at a national championship takes a great deal of poise and discipline," head coach Michelle Eisenreich said. "Add to the fact that the throwers had to deal with heavy rain and hail only makes what Obi accomplished as a freshman that much more impressive. I am not only proud of what Obi accomplished today but also of how much she has grown during her first year at Princeton."

Amaechi was third at the NCAA East Regionals. She re-set the Princeton record five times this season, outdoing herself every single meet during the regular season and has a PR of 55.92 (183-5) - the second best throw in Ivy League history.

She will have at least one more competition as she competes at the Outdoor Junior Nationals. If she finishes in the top two she would qualify for the World Juniors in Finland.

No better way to cap the 2017-18 Princeton Athletic season with a first-team All-America finish in the discus!