University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Women's Track & Field
Photo by: Becky Miller
Best of 2019-20: Clunis's Weight Throw PR
5/14/2020 8:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
Nayoka Clunis finished as Big Ten runner-up in the weight throw this season.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Golden Gopher track & field and cross country program had many memorable moments in 2019-20 worth revisiting and celebrating despite the indoor season ending and the outdoor season being canceled on March 12, 2020, when the Big Ten Conference and NCAA announced they were ceasing competitions and championships because of COVID-19 public health concerns.
One of those memorable moments was senior Nayoka Clunis's performance in the women's weight throw at the 2020 Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships. Clunis recorded a career-best throw of 22.13 meters (72-07.25) to finish second at the meet and improve upon her second-ranked mark in Minnesota history. Her runner-up finish marked her best B1G showing of her career.
"That 22-meter throw was my second time over 22 meters this season," Clunis said. "I was filled with emotions as I know that there was just something missing, but a PR is a PR and that's good in my book on any day. As I stepped on my first turn in, I knew it would be a good throw because that's what Coach and I had been working on."
Clunis opened the season with wins in both shot put and weight throw at the SDSU Holiday Invite, and she earned Big Ten Women's Field Athlete of the Week following her season-opening performance. The Kingston, Jamaica native competed in both shot put and weight throw at six meets during the season, winning three weight throw titles and two shot put titles. When it came time for the B1G Championships, Clunis stuck to her joyful approach to competition.
"Most of what I've been [doing] this season is to have fun in the weight, stay relaxed, and keep my focus on the little things that set up the throw," Clunis said. "Once I'm dancing, laughing, and having fun, I know I'll have a good competition, so that's all I thought of outside the ring."
When asked what stands out most looking back on the Big Ten Indoor Championships, Clunis said, "How I happy and satisfied I was after the competition. Because I didn't get a start to the season how I'd like because of my car accident during Christmas, I just had to reflect on everything that brought me to that moment. Coach Peter, my teammates, the trainers, the doctor, my high school coach Mr. Vassell, everyone who played an instrumental role in me getting back into competitive gear both physically and mentally -- I was just happy to be given another opportunity and have the ability to throw like that again."
Along with her runner-up finish in weight throw, Clunis finished fifth in shot put at the Big Ten Championships to total 12 points for the Maroon & Gold in the team standings on the way to the Gophers' B1G runner-up team finish. She qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in both shot put and weight throw before the Big Ten and NCAA announced they were ceasing competitions and championships because of COVID-19 public health concerns.
Clunis wrapped up her Gopher career ranked second in program history in both indoor shot put (17.05 meters, 55-11.25 ft.) and weight throw (22.13 meters, 72-07.25 ft.). Outdoors, she ranks second in hammer throw (64.26 meters, 210-10 ft.), sixth in shot put (16.04 meters, 52-07.50 ft.), and 10th in discus (52.67 meters, 172-10 ft.) among all-time Gopher throwers.
###
One of those memorable moments was senior Nayoka Clunis's performance in the women's weight throw at the 2020 Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships. Clunis recorded a career-best throw of 22.13 meters (72-07.25) to finish second at the meet and improve upon her second-ranked mark in Minnesota history. Her runner-up finish marked her best B1G showing of her career.
"That 22-meter throw was my second time over 22 meters this season," Clunis said. "I was filled with emotions as I know that there was just something missing, but a PR is a PR and that's good in my book on any day. As I stepped on my first turn in, I knew it would be a good throw because that's what Coach and I had been working on."
Clunis opened the season with wins in both shot put and weight throw at the SDSU Holiday Invite, and she earned Big Ten Women's Field Athlete of the Week following her season-opening performance. The Kingston, Jamaica native competed in both shot put and weight throw at six meets during the season, winning three weight throw titles and two shot put titles. When it came time for the B1G Championships, Clunis stuck to her joyful approach to competition.
"Most of what I've been [doing] this season is to have fun in the weight, stay relaxed, and keep my focus on the little things that set up the throw," Clunis said. "Once I'm dancing, laughing, and having fun, I know I'll have a good competition, so that's all I thought of outside the ring."
When asked what stands out most looking back on the Big Ten Indoor Championships, Clunis said, "How I happy and satisfied I was after the competition. Because I didn't get a start to the season how I'd like because of my car accident during Christmas, I just had to reflect on everything that brought me to that moment. Coach Peter, my teammates, the trainers, the doctor, my high school coach Mr. Vassell, everyone who played an instrumental role in me getting back into competitive gear both physically and mentally -- I was just happy to be given another opportunity and have the ability to throw like that again."
Along with her runner-up finish in weight throw, Clunis finished fifth in shot put at the Big Ten Championships to total 12 points for the Maroon & Gold in the team standings on the way to the Gophers' B1G runner-up team finish. She qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in both shot put and weight throw before the Big Ten and NCAA announced they were ceasing competitions and championships because of COVID-19 public health concerns.
Clunis wrapped up her Gopher career ranked second in program history in both indoor shot put (17.05 meters, 55-11.25 ft.) and weight throw (22.13 meters, 72-07.25 ft.). Outdoors, she ranks second in hammer throw (64.26 meters, 210-10 ft.), sixth in shot put (16.04 meters, 52-07.50 ft.), and 10th in discus (52.67 meters, 172-10 ft.) among all-time Gopher throwers.
###
Follow Track & Field
Support Track & Field
Support the University of Minnesota Track & Field program. Your support helps our student-athletes succeed athletically, academically, and socially. It takes just seconds to make a monthly or one-time donation. Thank you for your support! Give Now
Dyandra Gray | 2025 All-American
Sunday, June 15
Ali Weimer Breaks School Record at NCAAs
Sunday, June 15
Ali Weimer Qualifies for NCAAs
Thursday, June 05
Dyandra Gray Qualifies for NCAAs
Thursday, June 05