close

Sanner caps career with fourth A-A honors

By Jim Downey jdowney@heraldstandard.Com 3 min read

Mallory Sanner came up short of winning her second national title in the javelin Saturday in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships, but left the field knowing she accomplished something that no other Seton Hill athlete has done.

Sanner finished third with her final throw being the best of her career, 51.41 meters or 168 feet, 8 inches.

“I knew it was going to be my last one, ever. I had nothing to lose,” said Sanner. “I did what I could. It felt really good coming out.

“I left the last one out there.”

Sanner stood in third place coming out of the preliminaries with a throw of 50.53 meters (165-9) on her final throw. Azusa Pacific junior Allison Updike was in first after the prelims with a throw 52.24 meters (171-5) and Estefania Lopez, of Fort Hays St., was second with a throw of 52.03 meters (170-8).

“On my first throw of the finals, I changed my footwork and it did not work. I wanted to try. I didn’t want to wonder what might’ve happened if I didn’t try. And, I still had two more throws,” explained Sanner. “It was something I’ve done before, but had not done in a long time.

“I was working with my brother and dad (on her approach). Every time my right foot hit five times it was time to throw.”

That approach worked for her record-breaking final attempt.

The final three entering the prelims remained that way through the finals with Updike throwing 55.43 meters (181-10) on the second throw and Lopez’ first-round throw holding through the finals.

Sanner reflected on her career with the Griffins.

“My personal best and school record on my last throw and Seton Hill’s only four-time All-America, I can’t beat that. It’s awesome to set the bar high. I’m honored and blessed to be the first national champion and four-time All-America,” said Sanner. “(The end of her career) sunk in when I finished third. I feel I could’ve won.

“Looking back, it’s completely over. I bummed out. There’s nothing to fall back on, no more meets.”

Jessica Slagus, a sophomore from Belle Vernon, was happy with her performance.

“I had PRs on my first two throws,” said Slagus. She threw 43.92 meters (144-1) on her first attempt and her best of the competition on her second, 44.71 meters (146-8).

“I was so excited in that atmosphere. I was nervous until I got on the runway,” said Slagus. “My goal was to be in the top eight (All-America status). I was the last person to get in, more or less, so I was just happy to be there.

“Thankfully, I was able to move up 10 places. All I could do was improve my spot.”

Slagus will be joined at Seton Hill by former Belle Vernon teammate Gianna Gaul. Gaul finished fifth in the PIAA Class AAA discus on Saturday.

Slagus dedicated her first national meet appearance to her grandfather, who passed away from cancer last fall.

“I was throwing for him. He came to everything and if he could’ve been there (Saturday), he would’ve been there in a heartbeat,” Slagus respectfully said.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $4.79/week.

Subscribe Today