Entering the finals with the best throw at 18.96 meters, Tia Brooks of Oklahoma was the heavy favorite. Brooks had one goal in mind entering the finals: to break the NCAA record at 18.99 meters set by Meg Ritchie of Arizona in 1983, but fell just short of reaching her goal. Despite failing to break the NCAA record, Brooks does exit her collegiate career with an NCAA outdoor title and can be proud of her dominant performance this afternoon.

“A little frustrated,” Brooks said after capturing the title. “It wasn’t a very good meet; of course the record was the goal, just shy of it, but I mean there’s more to come and I’m just so honored to be another outdoor NCAA champion and have the meet record and be among the best in the country.”

Brooks recorded her best throw of the week at 18.91 meters and was just .08 meters short of matching the NCAA record. Her best throw came in the final round (6) after steadily improving in her last three rounds. Brooks will be among the favorites to compete in the upcoming USA Championships and Olympics and will have her opportunities to improve her personal record.

Finishing behind Brooks were Brittany Smith of Illinois State at 17.85m and Felisha Johnson of Indiana State at 17.30m. Both throwers recorded their best throws in their last two rounds; Smith in the fifth round and Johnson in the sixth.