Sports
Evelyn Bliss Repeats as All-American in Javelin
Eugene, Ore.- Bucknell sophomore Evelyn Bliss earned Second Team All-America honors in the javelin for the second consecutive season on Thursday night. Bliss finished 12th, joining fellow javelin thrower Maura Fiamoncini as the second two-time All-American in Bucknell women’s track & field history. Her finish improved one slot on her placement at the 2024 National Championships. […]

“It was not exactly what she was hoping for but she still hit over 180 feet which has consistently been a top eight throw every year until today,” said Bucknell head coach Kevin Donner. “It is still a one spot improvement from last year and she is still a Second Team All-American. We are all very proud of Evie’s sophomore season and she still has the World University Games in Germany and the USATF Championships back in Eugene in the next 4-6 weeks.”
Results
“Today was a very competitive day,” said Bliss. “I unfortunately didn’t put it together like I have before, but the javelin is always a learning experience and I’ll come back better prepared.”
Bliss threw first in the second flight of 12. Her first toss went 46.46m (152-5), placing her 11th. The top seeds, including Bliss at four, filled the flight and their resulting throws dropped Bliss to 19th by the time her second chance arrived.
The Bucknell star answered the challenge, uncorking a strong 54.19m (177-9) throw. The mark immediately rocketed into sixth place, putting her in position for the finals, of which only the top nine advanced. Unfortunately, Bliss’ compatriots on the second flight proved adept at their business and five better throws returned her to 11th.
Bliss, as she often does, delivered her best throw in the final attempt. Her third heave flashed against the effervescent Oregon sky and settled into the soil at 55.09m (180-9). The throw was impressive but did not shake her from her 11th-place standing. She remained 11th until Missouri’s Valentina Barrios Bornacelli’s attempt placed the Tiger at fourth, moving everyone below down a spot.
“I think we’re both proud and upset at the same time,” said throws coach Ryan Protzman. “There’s probably never a year that her throw doesn’t make the final. It was her fourth best throw ever and she made adjustments and improved each throw. She can be upset but she has a lot to be proud of. Those ladies in the top nine did amazing. We are going to learn from these results and be ready to attack the same goal of chasing a national title. So proud of Evie for her body of work the last two years. She has already accomplished so much and the sky is the limit for this hard-working young lady!”
Fiamoncini was a three-time All-American, earning 13th (2018), 9th (2019), and 3rd (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic dashed her opportunity for a four-peat. Bliss will have the chance in 2026 to equalize her feat and in 2027 to surpass it.
Bornacelli performed admirably in both of her final attempts. She won the national championship, achieving a personal record of 62m (203-5) in the last round of the finals. Georgia’s Manuela Rotundo placed second with a throw of 60.35m (198-0), while TCU’s Irene Jepkemboi secured bronze with a toss of 60.31m (197-10).
Bliss’ summer will continue with her participation in the FISU World Championships (July 21-27) and the USATF National Championships (July 31-August 3).