Olin enjoys 17-foot improvement in javelin opener at Baldy Castillo

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

North Dakota State senior Alyssa Olin took a significant step forward Friday toward becoming a legitimate contender for the javelin title at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships in June with her performance at the Baldy Castillo Invitational at Sun Angel Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

Olin produced a third-round throw of 191-6 (58.36m), a 17-foot improvement from last year, elevating to the No. 15 performer in Division 1 history. She surpassed the 2013 meet record of 176-2 (53.69m) set by Oklahoma's Elizabeth Herrs.

Olin placed 12th at the NCAA final last year with a throw of 168-5 (51.34m). Her best performance entering the season was 174-6 (53.18m) from the Beach Invitational in April.

Only Virginia Tech's Irena Sediva and Florida's Marija Vucenovic, the top two finishers last year at the Division 1 championship meet and both seniors, had better throws than Olin's personal-best effort. Olin is expected to be challenged this season by Stanford junior Mackenzie Little, who has a lifetime-best mark of 188-11 (57.60m) from 2014, and Memphis junior Ashley Pryke, third at last year's NCAA finals at 186-9 (56.93m).

Olin's effort makes her the No. 9 performer in the world this year.