Bison137
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06-06-18 10:44 AM - Post#257662
Those who don't follow Bison track may not have followed the remarkable season of freshman Maura Fiamoncini. In her first meet of her college career, she threw over 184 feet, not only breaking the Bucknell record by 25 feet but putting her into 2nd place on the national list. With the season drawing to a close, she still ranks 3rd among all college throwers and 4th among all Americans for the year. She will be competing in NCAA Nationals today in Eugene (Oregon).
Maura is among the smallest javelin throwers (5-3) but is a great athlete who was a very good HS basketball player at Mount Carmel until a serious knee injury ended her career in that sport. But by that time she had become one of the top HS javelin throwers in the East. Based on what she has done to date, she is one of the top Bison T&F athletes in decades.
Mount Carmel grad exceeds expectations
Fiamoncini enters NCAAs
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MrPhillie
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06-06-18 04:03 PM - Post#257663
In response to Bison137
Yes I recall reading about her as a basketball player as well as track athlete. Good for her and best of luck!
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Bison137
Professor
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06-06-18 05:03 PM - Post#257664
In response to MrPhillie
Yes I recall reading about her as a basketball player as well as track athlete. Good for her and best of luck!
As a junior - playing with a bad knee - she averaged 18 ppg and led Mount Carmel to a 26-3 season. Made some level of all-state. That year, she was the female area athlete of the year and the male winner was Matt Fedorjaka.
Here is a picture of her playing hoops vs Lewisburg:
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBD_en US737U...
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jkrun80
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Maura Fiamoncini a top contender in NCAA Nationals
06-06-18 07:08 PM - Post#257665
In response to Bison137
I've been meaning to post something about Maura, but never got around to doing it. Although she has the 3rd longest throw, that came under unusual circumstances. She is seeded 8th based on her performance in the East preliminary round and is ranked 7th by Track & Field News. A top 8 finish would earn 1st team All-American, which is a realistic goal. That would be the highest finish ever by a woman T&F athlete and the best male or female performance since George Buckheit finished 6th in the 10,000 in 1979. I don't know if Bucknell has had any recent 1st team All-Americans in another sport, but I'm not aware of any.
Another article: http://www.standard-journal.com/news/local/article...
Edited by jkrun80 on 06-06-18 07:22 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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jkrun80
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06-06-18 07:10 PM - Post#257666
In response to jkrun80
Maura competes tomorrow, not today. The javelin competition starts at 8:15 EDT, but she will not likely throw until after 9:30.
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jkrun80
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06-06-18 09:26 PM - Post#257667
In response to jkrun80
It's also worth mentioning, while they didn't qualify for Eugene, Colleen Buckley and Chrissy Bendzinski both had outstanding performances in the preliminary meet. Buckley missed qualifying by 1 place (and just over a second) in the 10,000. Not to mention she ran a school record by 21 seconds in warm, humid conditions. Bendzinski missed by 2 places in the 5,000 after competing in two rounds of the 1500.
http://www.bucknellbison.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_O...
http://www.bucknellbison.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_O...
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
Posts: 1976
Age: 50
Reg: 02-17-12
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Maura Fiamoncini a top contender in NCAA Nationals
06-07-18 08:42 AM - Post#257670
In response to jkrun80
Who was the last wrestling All-American? Was Bobby Ferraro? Actually it was Andy Rendos and Kevin Levalley I completely forgot about the team's recent success.
Edited by HuskyColonial on 06-07-18 08:44 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Bison137
Professor
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06-07-18 11:44 PM - Post#257705
In response to HuskyColonial
Fiamoncini ended up 13th, which makes her a second team All-American.
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jkrun80
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06-13-18 08:23 PM - Post#257892
In response to Bison137
Maura will compete this Friday at 2:30 in the US Junior Nationals. She has the longest qualifying throw by 9 feet, but will need to throw better than at NCAA's. There are only 9 confirmed entries, so there should be less pressure. The top 2 finishers qualify for world juniors in Finland in July.
I was reminded that Ted Heitzman was a 1st team All-American in the javelin in 2011 when he finish 6th at the NCAA meet.
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jkrun80
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06-15-18 02:53 PM - Post#257910
In response to jkrun80
Maura is in 2nd after 3 rounds with a 177-3 throw - only 10" out of 1st & 15 feet ahead of 3rd.
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KenZ
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06-15-18 03:36 PM - Post#257913
In response to jkrun80
finishes in second and will be going to Junior Worlds next month! threw much better than at ncaas with three throws over 170'
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jkrun80
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06-15-18 04:10 PM - Post#257914
In response to KenZ
This would have placed her 6th at NCAAs. Hopefully, she'll get 3 more opportunities to compete there. Should be a great experience competing in an international meet.
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jkrun80
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06-15-18 08:25 PM - Post#257917
In response to jkrun80
http://www.bucknellbison.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_O...
Aidan Krombolz finished 7th in the men's javelin. Pretty good day for the Bison.
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KenZ
Postdoc
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07-06-18 02:06 PM - Post#258525
In response to jkrun80
pre u-20 worlds BisonVision video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cHF-fQXSQKs
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jkrun80
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07-09-18 09:54 AM - Post#258562
In response to KenZ
Maura will throw at either 2:00am eastern time tonight (actually tomorrow) or 3:20am eastern time depending on which group she is in. The finals are on Wednesday, July 11 at 11:50am Eastern time. There is a 7 hour time difference from Finland to the east coast.
Here is a preview of the women's javelin: https://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-wor ld-u20-c...
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jkrun80
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07-10-18 08:09 PM - Post#258636
In response to jkrun80
Maura had a bit of an off day "only" throwing 160' to finish 14th. Missed making the final by less than 4 feet. It's been a great year for her and 14th in the world isn't too shabby.
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
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Maura Fiamoncini a top contender in NCAA Nationals
07-10-18 09:14 PM - Post#258641
In response to jkrun80
She’s literally a kid. Hell of a start to her collegiant career. She must be frustrated though since she capable of throwing for more. Max throws in T & F are so hard to nail in a meet.
Edited by HuskyColonial on 07-10-18 09:17 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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jkrun80
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Re: Maura Fiamoncini a top contender in NCAA Nationals
07-10-18 09:22 PM - Post#258643
In response to HuskyColonial
She’s literally a kid. Hell of a start to her collegiant career. She must be frustrated though since she capable of throwing for more. Max throws in T & F are so hard to nail in a meet.
Yes, especially when you only get three in qualifying. She fouled on her second, which I don't think she had done all year. But an amazing season overall.
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jkrun80
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05-27-21 08:58 PM - Post#324252
In response to jkrun80
Maura qualified for her 3rd NCAA championship today, finishing 5th in the east preliminary meet. She finished 13th as a freshman, 9th as a sophomore in the national championship, just missing 1st team all-American. Her throw of 173-11 today would have placed 8th in 2019. Her 180-9 at the league meet would have placed 4th in 2019. She has competed with a torn labrum all season, but is still throwing far. Hopefully, she has another big throw in her in two weeks in Eugene. She will be back in Eugene June 28 to throw in the Olympic Trials.
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
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06-02-21 10:07 PM - Post#324405
In response to jkrun80
So I watched her interview on In The Herd.
Why is she still wearing a mask? There’s zero chance she’s not vaccinated. Does the Patriot League believe the vaccines don’t work?
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Bison137
Professor
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Reg: 01-23-06
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06-02-21 11:35 PM - Post#324407
In response to HuskyColonial
I have no idea if she has been vaccinated. But fwiw only 47% of Union County residents over the age of 18 have been fully vaccinated. JKrun probably could fill us in as to whether Bucknell had on-campus vaccinations.
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jkrun80
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06-03-21 09:08 AM - Post#324416
In response to HuskyColonial
So I watched her interview on In The Herd.
Why is she still wearing a mask? There’s zero chance she’s not vaccinated. Does the Patriot League believe the vaccines don’t work?
Pennsylvania has not yet officially lifted their mask mandate (though it is universally ignored) and Bucknell has not revised their policy. I suspect she is vaccinated, but don't know for sure. Bucknell did offer on-site vaccinations last week for faculty and staff. Most students were already gone by then.
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jkrun80
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06-10-21 09:21 PM - Post#324587
In response to jkrun80
Maura threw a personal best of 185'4" to move into 3rd after 3 rounds. She will certainly finish in the top 8, probably top 5. Three throws to go.
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Bison1999
Junior
Posts: 227
Reg: 01-23-06
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Maura Fiamoncini a top contender in NCAA Nationals
06-10-21 10:25 PM - Post#324590
In response to jkrun80
Final results held true to form: 3rd place finish, 5' further than the next closest competitor. Maura's current distances put her among the top 50 active throwers worldwide. Rare air, indeed.
Side note: Whoever's coaching Marie-Therese Obst deserves a raise: sits down for a COVID year and come back besting 2019 numbers by almost 10 yards. Unreal.
Go Bison!
Edited by Bison1999 on 06-10-21 10:25 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Bison137
Professor
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06-10-21 10:28 PM - Post#324593
In response to Bison1999
Great job by Maura. Especially competing with a serious shoulder injury. She is also quite undersized for a javelin thrower.
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Bison137
Professor
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06-10-21 10:33 PM - Post#324595
In response to Bison137
https://mobile.twitter.com/Bucknell_TFXC/status/ 14...
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Bison1999
Junior
Posts: 227
Reg: 01-23-06
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Maura Fiamoncini a top contender in NCAA Nationals
06-10-21 10:34 PM - Post#324596
In response to Bison137
Speaking from personal experience: never underestimate an undersized Italian woman with an axe to grind, especially in the fine art of "throwing stuff." 
Go Bison!
Edited by Bison1999 on 06-10-21 10:56 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Bison137
Professor
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Re: Maura Fiamoncini a top contender in NCAA Nationals
06-10-21 10:35 PM - Post#324597
In response to Bison1999
Side note: Whoever's coaching Marie-Therese Obst deserves a raise: sits down for a COVID year and come back besting 2019 numbers by almost 10 yards. Unreal.!
Maybe Maura will move up to second after the drug test results are in. 
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Bison1999
Junior
Posts: 227
Reg: 01-23-06
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Maura Fiamoncini a top contender in NCAA Nationals
06-10-21 10:41 PM - Post#324598
In response to Bison137
I'll assume the best and attribute it to excellent training, study, and conditioning. To the extent Therese has an otherwise explainable edge: she's 25 and I'd guess 3 years added experience goes a long way in javelin at this level.
Go Bison!
Edited by Bison1999 on 06-10-21 10:43 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
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06-11-21 08:48 AM - Post#324616
In response to Bison1999
https://bucknellbison.com/news/2021/6/10/womens -tr...
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BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
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06-12-21 12:44 PM - Post#324669
In response to jkrun80
A hero’s welcome back to Lewisburg:
https://twitter.com/bucknell_bison/status /14035495...
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
Posts: 1976
Age: 50
Reg: 02-17-12
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Re: Maura Fiamoncini a top contender in NCAA Nationals
06-12-21 05:01 PM - Post#324672
In response to Bison1999
Hahahahahaha 1999. Perfect.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
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06-13-21 07:13 PM - Post#324678
In response to HuskyColonial
Outside of T&F, has Bucknell ever had an athlete in an individual sport finish in the top 3 in the NCAA?
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
Posts: 1976
Age: 50
Reg: 02-17-12
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06-13-21 08:10 PM - Post#324680
In response to jkrun80
Tom Marchetti was the highest wrestling finish. 4th place in 1991 or 1992 I think.
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res
Masters Student
Posts: 839
Reg: 03-21-06
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Maura Fiamoncini a top contender in NCAA Nationals
06-14-21 08:57 AM - Post#324684
In response to HuskyColonial
Didn't McClean win the 800 meters in 1976?
Edited by res on 06-14-21 08:58 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Bison89
Professor
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Loc: Philadelphia
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Re: Maura Fiamoncini a top contender in NCAA Nationals
06-14-21 09:35 AM - Post#324686
In response to Bison1999
Speaking from personal experience: never underestimate an undersized Italian woman with an axe to grind, especially in the fine art of "throwing stuff."
Go Bison!
Bison1999, that is hilarious! There must be a good story there. I'd like to hear it sometime.
| New season, new team, new dream . . . |
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jkrun80
Postdoc
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Age: 65
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Re: Maura Fiamoncini a top contender in NCAA Nationals
06-14-21 01:25 PM - Post#324698
In response to res
Didn't McClean win the 800 meters in 1976?
Yes, and George Buckheit finished 3rd in the indoor 3-mile in 1979. I was wondering if there were athletes from any other sports that had finished in the top 3 nationally, particularly since Bucknell moved to Div. I.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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06-14-21 04:28 PM - Post#324700
In response to HuskyColonial
Tom Marchetti was the highest wrestling finish. 4th place in 1991 or 1992 I think.
Full list of wrestling All-Americans:
- Bryan Burns
1991 - 8th place - 190 lbs.
- Bobby Ferraro
1994 - 8th place - 177 lbs.
1995 - 7th place - 177 lbs.
- Kevin LeValley
2010 - 7th place - 149 lbs.
2011 - 7th place - 149 lbs.
- Tom Marchetti
1989 - 4th place - 167 lbs.
- Andy Rendos
2009 - 5th place - 165 lbs.
2010 - 6th place - 165 lbs.
- Zach Hartman
2020* - Honorable Mention - 165 lbs.
2021 - 6th place - 165 lbs.
* After the 2020 NCAA Championships were canceled due to covid, the NWCA selected three All-America teams based on wrestlers’ performance during the season.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
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06-14-21 04:39 PM - Post#324701
In response to Bison137
Swimming has a couple D1 All-Anericans:
Peter O’Keeffe......100 back..........1971
Steve Winings......... 50 Free..........1971
These two made AA one day apart. Winings finished 8th in the 50, a few spots behind Mark Spitz, in an event won by the world record holder Dave Edgar. O'Keeffe later won several national championships as a Masters swimmer.
The Bison also had an All-American honorable mention in Jim Harvey (1988).
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jkrun80
Postdoc
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06-15-21 08:41 PM - Post#324715
In response to Bison137
Just to add some more perspective on Maura's performance.
1. The other 3 of the top 4 are from Norway, France, and Bosnia.
2. The winner, Marie-Therese Obst is 25.
3. Four of the top seven are 5th or 6th year seniors.
4. The other two are 4th year juniors.
5. Maura competed the whole year with an injured shoulder. She declined to have surgery and take a redshirt year to compete elsewhere. Instead she wants to finish her throwing career at Bucknell.
Not bad for an undersized, former point guard from Mt. Carmel. Kudos to Coach Donner for recruiting her four years ago.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
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06-16-21 06:51 PM - Post#324744
In response to jkrun80
Since Maura did not throw last year (covid) and since this year did not count as a year of eligibility (NCAA ruling), I believe that Maura still has two more years of eligibility should she want to pursue it. Any thoughts of a grad transfer for her?
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jkrun80
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06-17-21 10:39 AM - Post#324754
In response to Bison137
Since Maura did not throw last year (covid) and since this year did not count as a year of eligibility (NCAA ruling), I believe that Maura still has two more years of eligibility should she want to pursue it. Any thoughts of a grad transfer for her?
As far as I know, the Olympic Trials will be her last competition. She has no plans for grad school or to continuing throwing the javelin.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
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06-25-21 01:55 PM - Post#324942
In response to jkrun80
Maura will throw this afternoon at 4:00 ET. She is in the second flight, so will probably compete closer to 5:00. If she makes the top 12, she will throw tomorrow in the final. She has the 7th best mark for the season, so is in good position to make the final if her shoulder holds up.
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Bison137
Professor
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06-25-21 05:32 PM - Post#324951
In response to jkrun80
Maura placed 6th in the prelims today to advance to the Finals. She was the 2nd best college thrower.
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jkrun80
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06-26-21 09:21 PM - Post#324983
In response to Bison137
Maura finishes 7th overall. She had a clutch throw in round 3 to make the top 8 and earn three more throws. What a career she has had. By far the most accomplished women's T&F athlete ever at Bucknell.
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jkrun80
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06-27-21 11:17 AM - Post#324992
In response to jkrun80
I can tell you from first hand experience that athletes are less inclined to "play hurt" than in the past. That is not the case with Maura. Here is a Facebook post from her coach Dan Frake.
It has been an incredible journey Maura Fiamoncini! You have been a pleasure to coach and always brought your best. In 4 years representing the Bison you’ve accomplished so much - Bucknell and Patriot League records, numerous stadium records, the 2nd best U20 throw in US history, representing our country at the world championships, 3 Patriot League Championships (of 3 possible), ECAC champion, 3 time All-American (of 3 possible), 7th at the US Olympic Trials, and more. You’ve done all of this with humility and class. My favorite 2 memories of your time are of course placing 3rd two weeks ago at the NCAA championships as the top US collegiate thrower AND 2. Your standard of excellence and fierce competitiveness over these 4 years - what do I mean by this…. Of all the highest caliber meets we attended you always got 6 throws… you missed only 2 finals in 2018 (placing 14th at the World Championships and your first year of NCAA). That’s 3 years straight of always getting 6. No matter the set back or injury you always found a way. Maura’s way.
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
Posts: 1976
Age: 50
Reg: 02-17-12
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06-27-21 03:33 PM - Post#324999
In response to jkrun80
Awesome. It feels great to have some positive news coming out of Bucknell athletics. What a tremendous for her.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
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06-27-21 07:35 PM - Post#325003
In response to HuskyColonial
Awesome. It feels great to have some positive news coming out of Bucknell athletics. What a tremendous for her.
There is more to Bucknell athletics than men's basketball. And there are plenty of success stories despite some of the larger issues with Bucknell. The student athletes who compete here are a point of pride and something to celebrate.
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
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Age: 50
Reg: 02-17-12
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06-28-21 10:21 AM - Post#325008
In response to HuskyColonial
Awesome. It feels great to have some positive news coming out of Bucknell athletics. What a tremendous accomplishment for her.
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