LEWISBURG — US national champion Evelyn Bliss crossed a historic milestone in the javelin throw on Sunday at the Bison Outdoor Classic, surpassing the 60-meter and 200-feet mark, as she set the facility, meet, and school record, moved into first worldwide in 2026 for the event, reaffirmed her number one spot in the NCAA, and established herself as seventh all-time in American history.

Her throw essentially won the Patriot League Outdoor Women’s Field Athlete of the Week and Bison of the Week once the distance was announced for the javelin. 

Bliss’ throw traveled 201-3, supplanting her previous best mark of 199-6 hurled at the 2025 FISU University Games. The mark came amidst blustery and overcast weather. Sunday had started appropriately sunny but by 2 p.m. Apollo’s domain had retreated behind gray clouds and a steady and fearsome breeze swept across the West Fields Throwing Area. Bliss had encountered similar weather earlier this month in Arizona and the junior was prepared to toss in the weather. 

“I was nervous with the wind but I decided just to blocked it out of my mind best I could and focus on competing,” Bliss said.

Her first throw flew 171-10 – a strong first showing for the junior and one that primed the massive crowd – mostly filled of Bucknell partisans, consisting of alumni, family, friends, professors, staff, and teammates – into expecting longer distances. Bliss obliged her fan base. The second attempt journeyed 181-3 and keen observers could tell Bliss was finding her stride. 

She discovered El Dorado on her third expedition. Bliss moved down the runway in a march honed by a thousand renditions of practice and unleashed her rocket. The javelin sliced through the ominous wind and kept foraging ahead before stabbing into the ground like a planted flag. Bliss placed a satisfied smile on her face, clapped, and trooped off the runaway. The measurements were taken and announced. A mighty roar arose from the crowd, throws coach Ryan Protzman rushed to embrace his pupil, and her teammates’ faces erupted in joyous camaraderie.