Carroll outperforms expectations at NCAA West First Round

The bright lights of the NCAA West First Round meet didn't bother Ashley Carroll. The Grizzly sophomore javelin thrower had the second-best throw of her career in College Station, Texas on Thursday afternoon to finish 31st in the West.

Carroll started her Grizzly career as a walk-on and has quickly risen the ranks. She placed 4^th in the Big Sky as a freshman in a surprise performance. It led to expectations as a sophomore that she rose above to a runner-up finish in Sacramento two weeks ago.

The Shepherd, Mont. product has been very consistent this season, winning two meets for Montana and throwing further than 140 feet in each of the last six meets. She recorded her season best throw of 152-7 at the Bengal Invitational, and nearly matched it in Texas.

Carroll opened with a throw of 133-5 but went up from there. Her second throw would prove to be her best at 147-10 to place 3^rd in her flight and 31st overall.

"Great performance today by Ashley," head coach Doug Fraley said. "She hit the 2^nd best throw of her career and outperformed her seed by a mile."

She entered the meet ranked 44^th in the West Region but was able to drastically outperform her ranking. Carroll was one of four Big Sky Conference athletes that reached the regional meet and finished higher than the other three league foes.

Irene Jepkemboi of TCU won the meet with a throw of 191-6. Sara Sanders of Oregon State secured the final spot at the NCAA Championship by finishing in 12^th with a throw of 171-2.

Montana will have a day off on Friday before Erin Wilde wraps things up for the season with the women's high jump on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

University of Montana Athletics

Carroll outperforms expectations at NCAA West First Round

Players Mentioned

Ashley Carroll

Erin Wilde

Related Videos