She’s the first to do it since 2016
Minne-throwta. That’s the place. Anthonett Nabwe became the first athlete since 2016 to repeat as Big Ten women’s weight throw champion. And she’s only a sophomore! It took all six of her throws but with her final attempt Nabwe launched the weight 24.22m (77-5 1/2) in Indianapolis at Fall Creek Pavilion. It’s the second furthest throw in Minnesota Golden Gophers program history, and is the farthest in the nation this season by over two feet.
Nabwe became the fifth Big Ten women’s weight thrower to defend their conference title and the first to do so since 2016 when two-time Olympian Kelsey Card went back-to-back. She helps the Gophers keep a remarkable streak alive in the women’s weight throw.
A Minnesota athlete has won four of the last five Big Ten Championships. Minnesota is the only school to have an athlete throw more than 24 meters at the Big Ten championships—and the Gophers have had three athletes do it. Minnesota athletes now have three of the 10 furthest throws in NCAA history, and all have come at the Big Ten Championships.
The Gophers had a few other high finishers at the Big Ten Championships where they finished in 8th place as a team. Minnesota also got a sixth place throw in the weight throw from Hadley Streit at 21.32 meters. The Gopher Distance Medley Relay Team of Isabelle Schmitz, Dyandra Gray, Zoie Dundon and Erin Reidy would set a school-record time of 11:02.42 in the final to earn a Big Ten bronze medal. On Saturday Maja Maunsbach would run the 60 meter hurdles in a time of 8.17 to finish fifth overall. Alliyah McNeil matched her season-best with a clearance of 1.80m (5-10 3/4) to finish sixth overall in the high jump.
Nabwe and potentially other Gophers will now head to the NCAA Championships in Virginia Beach, Virginia from March 14-15. A full list of participants will be announced later this week.