University of Minnesota Athletics
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/ Women's Track & Field
Nabwe Named USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week
4/27/2026 3:01:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
The Liberian hammer thrower came just three centimeters short of the NCAA record.
MINNEAPOLIS -- University of Minnesota track and field redshirt junior thrower Anthonett Nabwe has been named the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Athlete of the Week, the organization announced on Monday. Nabwe's toss of 77.64m (254-9) at the Drake Relays came just three centimeters short of the NCAA all-time record in the women's hammer throw on April 23.
After a University of Minnesota Track & Field Stadium facility record of 72.48m (237-9) at the Gary Wilson Invitational on Wednesday, Nabwe launched her historic lifetime best at the Drake Relays on Thursday. Nabwe's second-round toss of 77.64m (254-9) came just shy of Camryn Rogers' collegiate record of 77.67m (254-9) that was set back in 2022. Nabwe's throw makes her, as of April 27, the 12th-best performer in the women's hammer throw in world history (all levels), per the IAAF. Nabwe is the first Gopher woman to earn the National Athlete of the Week honor from the USTFCCCA since Shelby Frank won the honor during the 2022 indoor season. Since 2015, according to the USTFCCCA, Nabwe is the first Minnesota woman to ever be named the National Athlete of the Week during the outdoor season.
Nabwe's performance in Des Moines helped her finish as the runner-up in the professional field with only 2022 world champion Brooke Andersen's 78.56m (257-9) finishing ahead of Nabwe at Drake Stadium. Additionally Nabwe, a 'The Bowerman' Watch List member, broke her own African and Big Ten records with her throw at the 2026 Drake Relays.
This week Minnesota will have entries in three different meets including the St. Thomas Invitational (April 29), Hamline Invitational (May 1) and the Spec Towns & Torrin Lawrence Invitational (May 2). Nabwe is expected to compete in the shot put and discus in Athens, Ga., at the Spec Towns & Torrin Lawrence Invitational.
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota cross country and track and field team on X.com (Twitter) and Instagram (@GopherCCTF) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the season.
After a University of Minnesota Track & Field Stadium facility record of 72.48m (237-9) at the Gary Wilson Invitational on Wednesday, Nabwe launched her historic lifetime best at the Drake Relays on Thursday. Nabwe's second-round toss of 77.64m (254-9) came just shy of Camryn Rogers' collegiate record of 77.67m (254-9) that was set back in 2022. Nabwe's throw makes her, as of April 27, the 12th-best performer in the women's hammer throw in world history (all levels), per the IAAF. Nabwe is the first Gopher woman to earn the National Athlete of the Week honor from the USTFCCCA since Shelby Frank won the honor during the 2022 indoor season. Since 2015, according to the USTFCCCA, Nabwe is the first Minnesota woman to ever be named the National Athlete of the Week during the outdoor season.
Nabwe's performance in Des Moines helped her finish as the runner-up in the professional field with only 2022 world champion Brooke Andersen's 78.56m (257-9) finishing ahead of Nabwe at Drake Stadium. Additionally Nabwe, a 'The Bowerman' Watch List member, broke her own African and Big Ten records with her throw at the 2026 Drake Relays.
This week Minnesota will have entries in three different meets including the St. Thomas Invitational (April 29), Hamline Invitational (May 1) and the Spec Towns & Torrin Lawrence Invitational (May 2). Nabwe is expected to compete in the shot put and discus in Athens, Ga., at the Spec Towns & Torrin Lawrence Invitational.
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota cross country and track and field team on X.com (Twitter) and Instagram (@GopherCCTF) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the season.
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