EUGENE, Ore. - It came down to the final throw as late drama ensued, but sophomore Irena Sediva overcame her obstacles and became the seventh individual national champion in Virginia Tech track & field history and Virginia Tech athletics history as she topped the competition in the women’s javelin throw at the NCAA Division I 2015 Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
With one throw remaining, Irena Sediva found herself in second place. Her first throw of 188-3 (57.39m) in the preliminary rounds was her longest one, and Texas Tech’s Hannah Carson bested that mark on her third attempt with a mark of 189-4 (57.72m).
Sediva failed to top Carson through five throws, but the sophomore would not let that stop her. With one throw remaining and Sediva about to be up, Associate Head Track & Field and Throws Coach Greg Jack recalled what he told her. “I didn’t say much,” Jack said. “I just told her to relax. She had a fantastic series and it was just a matter of when the big one was going to come and it came. I wasn’t really worried.”
With the weight of earning the national title on her shoulders, Sediva heaved the javelin to a school and ACC record mark of 192-9 (58.76m). Carson had one throw left, following Sediva, but could not best the Hokie’s mark.
“We were sitting there with our fingers crossed and she came up big,” said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Dave Cianelli as he recalled the moment before Sediva’s final throw. “A national title is very hard to come by. This meet is so good and very competitive, so to win a national title is a special thing to do. She’ll remember it and we will too. Regardless of what she does in the rest of her career, this will be a special moment for everyone.”
That win marks the 15th time in Virginia Tech history that a member of the Hokie track & field team won an individual national championship and makes Sediva the seventh Hokie track athlete to claim a national title. She is also the third female in Hokie track history to win a national title.
Jack, who coached 11 of those national titles before tonight, said this was a memorable one. “It’s the first time one of my athletes won the javelin. That’s special in itself right there,” exclaimed Jack.
The Hokies' Sabine Kopplin also competed in the javelin at Eugene, finishing in 15th place with a throw of 155-3 (47.32m).
On the track, Hanna Green was the top qualifier in the women’s 800-meter race, earning a spot in the finals with an impressive time of 2:03.35. Green earned an automatic qualifying spot by winning the first heat and will compete for a national title on Saturday evening.
Amanda Smith competed in the women’s 1500-meter race but failed to qualify for the finals placing 18th with a time of 4:20.52.
The Hokie men will be in action tomorrow as Marek Barta (discus) and Thomas Curtin (5000 meters) compete in their respective events.