Courtesy of Bucknell Athletics Communications

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EUGENE, Oregon – Maura Fiamoncini won her first-ever U.S. First Team All-Star Citation by placing third at the NCAA Javelin Championships on Thursday night. Fiamoncini broke her own school record on her second pitch of the night (185-4) to claim Bucknell’s best NCAA Championship result in women, surpassing Hall of Fame Lonnie Fertik. Fertik placed fourth at the 1982 NCAA Championships in heptathlon.

“What an incredible day,” said the head coach Kevin Donner. “Third place with a lifetime record. Maura’s shoulder ached, but her experience at this competition really paid off, and she’s obviously mentally strong. The best result ever for a female Bucknell. She was also. America’s top pitcher today, which bodes well for the Olympic Trials two weeks from now. What a great way to end her college career. ”

The senior, who was one spot of winning first-team accolades in 2019 by finishing ninth, smashed her previous NCAA record (172-9) which she set in Austin, Texas in 2019. The school record 184-5 Fiamoncini’s debut that she had made her college debut since 2018. Fiamoncini’s mark was over 20 feet further than when she last competed in Eugene as a freshman in 2018 .

“I’m incredibly proud of Maura and all of her accomplishments,” said the pitching coach. Dan Frake. “A storybook ending a story-rich career. She kicked off a PR in her first and last competitions for Bucknell. Maura is the highest winner in Bucknell’s women’s track history.”

Fiamoncini also earns a place in Bucknell’s history books as one of two bison to win three All-American caps in track and field, joining the Thomas McLean Hall of Fame. McLean had three All-American citations from 1975 to 1977 in the 800.

On his first pitch, Fiamoncini got into a good position, throwing 177-0 for the seventh best mark after one round. Fiamoncini then threw his second and decisive throw to climb to third, just under four feet ahead of Vanja Spaic of Fresno State in fourth (180-8).

Marie-Thérèse Obst won the first honor (195-10), followed by Alizee Minard of Arizona State (190-0). Four of the top five achieved personal bests.

Fiamoncini is now aiming for the Olympic Trials, with qualifiers scheduled for the women’s javelin on June 25 at Hayward Field in Eugene.