Courtesy BYU Photo

EUGENE, Ore. — Ashton Riner took home the Cougars’ first ever javelin national title as No. 14 BYU women’s track and field opened competition at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field late Thursday evening.

“I’m super proud of Ashton,” BYU throws coach Niklas Arrhenius said. ” I always felt that she had this capacity, so it’s amazing that she’s been able to have this great, year, stay healthy, and be able to win this championship.

The nation’s leader coming into the final, Riner launched a 58.24m/191-1 opening mark, that no other thrower would touch in the 24-athlete flight. The junior would win the event by just under two feet, earning the Cougar’s first women’s field title since Anna Mosdell’s discus title in 1992.

“Ashton demonstrated tonight why she was the No. 1 ranked javelin thrower in the nation,” BYU director of track and field Ed Eyestone said. “She took the lead in dominant fashion on her very first throw and was never challenged. I’m so happy for her and Coach Arrhenius, who with his three javelin entries has become one of the top javelin coaches in the country.”

Riner is also the first BYU field athlete, men’s or women’s, to win an individual national title since Arrehnius did so in 2007. Alex McAllister competed in the javelin as well, placing 18th overall with a mark of 50.71m/166-4.

Riner, a junior from Connell, Wash., grew up around track and field and was coached by her father, Wayne. Riner’s best throw this season was 191-10.25 at the Robison Invitational in April, a mark that set a school record. She is married to BYU tight end Lane Lunt.

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