SACRAMENTO – Sun Devil track & field rising freshman Samantha Noennig walked away with the U.S.A. Track & Field Junior National championship in the shot put on Friday at Sacramento State. She qualifies for the USATF Pan American Junior Championships in Lima, Peru from July 21-23.
The Hartford, Wisconsin-native hurled a winning throw of 16.78m (55-0.75) on her fifth attempt to hold on to the victory. Her fourth throw was also good enough for the victory.
"Sam obviously did great," said throws coach Brian Blutreich. "It's impressive considering she redshirted and didn't compete in meets this past year, and not being able to develop a rhythm in a competition setting. She had a good week of practice and threw personal best leading up to this meet. It was an indicator she would do well. She showed she's a really good competitor. She definitely has that gamer mentality. As a coach, it's nice to know you have girl who can compete."
Back in 2015, Noennig competed at the USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the shot put, finishing 8th in the event.
On Sunday, Bowerman Award finalist and national champion Maggie Ewen competes in the hammer throw at the USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento at 1:15 p.m. PT.
"We've eliminated the shot put and discus since the NCAA Championships in preparation for this weekend," said Blutreich. "It's good for her health and body. She's more refreshed and helps keep work load low with just one event. She's had some really good practices, but is in a veteran field full of Olympians and world champions. She's the youngster, but she's in a position to do well, but you have to do it on the day. We'll see what happens but she looks pretty good."
On Thursday evening in Sacramento, Sun Devil graduating senior and second-team All-American Keyasia Tibbs competed in the triple jump, placing 12th with a jump of 12.65m (41-6.00).
Also at the USATF Outdoor Championships, former Sun Devil national champion Shelby Houlihan and NCAA runner-up Chris Benard qualified for the IAAF World Championships in London this August. Houlihan put on a quite a performance in the women's 5k event, kicking in the last 100 meters to take the victory with a time of 15:13.87.
Benard placed second in the triple jump with a mark of 17.48m (57-4.25).
Two other former ASU national champions will compete on Sunday, as Ryan Whiting throws in the men's shot put at 1:55 p.m. PT and Bryan McBride competes in the high jump at 2:05 p.m. PT.
The Hartford, Wisconsin-native hurled a winning throw of 16.78m (55-0.75) on her fifth attempt to hold on to the victory. Her fourth throw was also good enough for the victory.
"Sam obviously did great," said throws coach Brian Blutreich. "It's impressive considering she redshirted and didn't compete in meets this past year, and not being able to develop a rhythm in a competition setting. She had a good week of practice and threw personal best leading up to this meet. It was an indicator she would do well. She showed she's a really good competitor. She definitely has that gamer mentality. As a coach, it's nice to know you have girl who can compete."
Back in 2015, Noennig competed at the USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the shot put, finishing 8th in the event.
On Sunday, Bowerman Award finalist and national champion Maggie Ewen competes in the hammer throw at the USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento at 1:15 p.m. PT.
"We've eliminated the shot put and discus since the NCAA Championships in preparation for this weekend," said Blutreich. "It's good for her health and body. She's more refreshed and helps keep work load low with just one event. She's had some really good practices, but is in a veteran field full of Olympians and world champions. She's the youngster, but she's in a position to do well, but you have to do it on the day. We'll see what happens but she looks pretty good."
On Thursday evening in Sacramento, Sun Devil graduating senior and second-team All-American Keyasia Tibbs competed in the triple jump, placing 12th with a jump of 12.65m (41-6.00).
Also at the USATF Outdoor Championships, former Sun Devil national champion Shelby Houlihan and NCAA runner-up Chris Benard qualified for the IAAF World Championships in London this August. Houlihan put on a quite a performance in the women's 5k event, kicking in the last 100 meters to take the victory with a time of 15:13.87.
Benard placed second in the triple jump with a mark of 17.48m (57-4.25).
Two other former ASU national champions will compete on Sunday, as Ryan Whiting throws in the men's shot put at 1:55 p.m. PT and Bryan McBride competes in the high jump at 2:05 p.m. PT.