Nicole Desens (Hopewell Junction, N.Y. / Arlington) was adamant in her pre-meet interview that if she could throw the discus 45 meters at nationals, she'd reach her goal as a collegiate athlete.
"...since my freshman year I've wanted to hit 45 meters," Desens said on May 19. "If I hit 45 I'll probably cry. Then I'll have done what I wanted to, even with all the ups and downs that have come with it."
She did just that on May 21 at NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, throwing the discus 45.02 meters on her second try. She finished 13th out of 22 competitors and set a new personal best for her career.
Her previous best throw of 43.99 meters came on April 25 at St. John Fisher. The following week at SUNYAC Championships she threw 42.57 meters, winning the conference title.
Desens's mark also sets another new Fredonia school record.
