BYU’s Ashton Riner Wins NCAA National Title In Javelin
Jun 10, 2022, 12:33 PM | Updated: 12:39 pm
BYU's Ashton Riner (Courtesy of BYU Photo)
(Courtesy of BYU Photo)
SALT LAKE CITY – BYU‘s Ashton Riner captured the javelin national title at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Riner and the Cougars competed at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Thursday, June 9.
The Connell, Washington native took home BYU’s first-ever title in javelin.
BYU’s ⭐️Ashton Riner⭐️ NCAA💥National Champion in the Women’s Javelin. 1️⃣0️⃣ points for the Cougs! pic.twitter.com/RQ1LUSwPQw
— Tom Holmoe (@TomHolmoe) June 10, 2022
“Ashton demonstrated tonight why she was the No. 1 ranked javelin thrower in the nation,” BYU director of track and field Ed Eyestone said. “She took the lead in dominant fashion on her very first throw and was never challenged. I’m so happy for her and Coach Arrhenius, who with his three javelin entries has become one of the top javelin coaches in the country.”
Riner won the event with a 58.24m/191-1 opening mark. She earned the national title by under two feet.
One throw was all it took 🏆#BYUTF x #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/YqkW0wKuwb
— BYU Track & Field/Cross Country (@BYUTFXC) June 10, 2022
“I’m super proud of Ashton,” BYU throws coach Niklas Arrhenius said. “ I always felt that she had this capacity, so it’s amazing that she’s been able to have this great, year, stay healthy, and be able to win this championship.
Riner’s win was BYU’s first women’s field title since Anna Mosdell’s discus championship in 1992. She is also BYU’s field athlete to win an individual national title since Arrehnius won in 2007.
Trophy Week 😤#BYUTF x #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/Py11UisCx1
— BYU Track & Field/Cross Country (@BYUTFXC) June 10, 2022
She’s been a member of BYU’s Track & Field team since 2018. Prior to her college career, Riner was a standout athlete at Connell High School, where she was a state champion in the javelin and broke the record for the farthest javelin throw at the 1A Washington State Track and Field Championships.
W Javelin Final
1. Ashton Riner (58.24m/191-1)
18. Alex McAllister (50.71m/166-4)Ashton wins the first ever javelin national title at BYU, and first women's field title since 1992! pic.twitter.com/N4DciC7ssR
— BYU Track & Field/Cross Country (@BYUTFXC) June 10, 2022
Riner is married to BYU football tight end Lane Lunt.
BYU’s Alex McAllister also competed in the javelin and finished 18th overall with a mark of 50.71m/166-4.
The Cougars will have more athletes participate at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Track & Field Championships through June 11. The events will be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, and the ESPN app.
