UNI track & field: Wilson, Shavers wrap Panther careers in NCAA hammer throw final

Track and Field 6/8/2023 8:10:00 PM

AUSTIN, Tex. --- Two of UNI's top all-time throwers entered the throwing cages for the final time as Makenna Wilson and Mari Shavers competed in the women's hammer throw at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Thursday afternoon in Texas.

Making their first career appearances at the national championship meet, Wilson and Shavers, the holders of the top-two spots in UNI's women's hammer throw record book, entered the competition as the first two Panthers to ever qualify for the NCAA Championships in the event.

Wilson, the reigning Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) champion who took sixth place at the NCAA Regional meet two weeks ago in Sacramento, California, notched a 63.32-meter toss on her second attempt, enough to secure 16th place and Second Team All-American status. The first UNI woman to earn All-American recognition since Paige Knodle in 2016, Wilson is only the sixth Panther woman in school history to receive the honor. She concludes her collegiate career, which began at Eastern Illinois University (2019-22), as UNI's school record holder in the event (66.69 meters).

Shavers, a native of neighboring Waterloo, Iowa, recorded a throw of 60.27 meters on her final attempt of the day to secure 22nd place. The 2023 MVC runner-up and seventh place finisher at the NCAA Regionals, also notched a 59.41-meter toss on her first throw of the day. Shavers finishes her collegiate career, which began at Hawkeye Community College (2020-21), ranked second all-time in the women's hammer throw (65.58 meters).

UNI's Top Women's Hammer Throw Marks

Makenna Wilson (2023) - 66.69m

Mari Shavers (2023) - 65.58m

Sarah Pate (2018) - 63.14m

Rachel Jansen (2008) - 61.99m

Anna Hoyman (2021) - 59.40m

UNI WOMEN'S OUTDOOR ALL-AMERICANS

2023 - Makenna Wilson (Hammer Throw - 2nd Team)

2016 - Paige Knodle (Heptathlon - 1st Team)

2014 - Paige Knodle (Heptathlon - 1st Team)

2012 - Olimpia Nowak (Heptathlon - 2nd Team)

2011 - Olimpia Nowak (Heptathlon - 1st Team)

2011 - Holli Hosch (800m - 2nd Team)

2008 - Rachel Jansen (Shot Put - 1st Team)

2007 - Rachel Jansen (Shot Put - 1st Team)

2006 - Rachel Jansen (Shot Put - 1st Team)

1994 - Shantel Twiggs (200m - 2nd Team)

UNI NCAA HISTORY (Since 2012)

2023 - Makenna Wilson - 16th (Women's Hammer)

2023 - Mari Shavers - 22nd (Women's Hammer)

2023 - Isaiah Trousil - 18th (Men's 100m) / 21st (Men's 200m)

2022 - Darius King - 5th (Men's Shot Put)

2022 - Tom Yezek 14th (Men's Discus)

2021 - Darius King - 7th (Men's Shot Put)

2019 - Darius King - 23rd (Men's Shot Put)

2018 - Jacob Smith - 6th (Men's 400m Hurdles)

2017 - Brandon Carnes - 13th (Men's 100m)

2016 - Paige Knodle - 8th (Heptathlon)

2016 - Justin Baker - 15th (Men's Hammer)

2016 - Brandon Carnes - 18th (Men's 100m)

2015 - Justin Baker - 20th (Men's Shot Put)

2015 - Brandon Carnes - 22nd (Men's 200m)

2014 - Paige Knodle - 4th (Heptathlon)

2013 - Jordan Williams - 12th (Women's Discus)

2013 - Paige Knodle - 17th (Heptathlon)

2013 -Daniel Gooris - 12th (Decathlon)

2012 - Olimpia Nowak - 12th (Heptathlon)

2012 - Daniel Gooris - 10th (Decathlon) / 22nd (Men's Pole vault)

2012 - Jordan Williams - 14th (Men's Discus)

2012 - Justin Romero - 19th (Men's Shot Put)

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