IUTF Event Preview: Throws

SEASON PREVIEW

Throws coach Cory Martin has turned IU into one of the most consistent programs in the nation since joining the staff in 2014.

Since the 2015-2016 season, the IU throws group has produced five Big Ten Champions including Jayden Ulrich's triumph in the discus at the 2022 Big Ten Outdoor Championships.

IU's top-10 lists in program history are littered with athletes coached by Martin including Ulrich and Sean Mockler breaking the school records in the discus and hammer respectively as freshmen in 2022.

With a talented and young core in 2023, the event group figures to be among the best in the conference again.

ATHLETES

Makayla Hunter | So. | Chandler, Ariz.

Another in a strong group of talented sophomores on the IU roster, Makayla Hunter will look to continue an impressive start to her collegiate career.

She already sits top-10 in the Shot Put and Weight Throw indoors and is No. 6 all-time in the Javelin. Her freshman campaign saw her finish 7th in the Big Ten in the Javelin.

The Chandler, Ariz. Native owns indoor personal bests of 15.97m/52-4.75 in the Shot Put (No. 10 in program history) and 19.02m/62-5 (No. 10 in program history) in the Weight Throw.

A multi-faceted athlete, she will likely compete in two events both indoors and outdoors to help the Hoosiers at the conference meet.

Jayden Ulrich | So. | East Alton, Ill.

A Big Ten Champion in 2022 as a freshman, Ulrich returns for her sophomore campaign in Bloomington. She threw a personal best of 59.01m/193-7 in the discus at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships to claim the conference title and break the school record.

She will be a versatile asset to the Hoosiers. During the indoor season she will compete in the shot put and weight throw. Already a top-10 member in both events, she was 4th at last year's conference meet indoors in the shot put.

Come outdoor season, she will seek to become the second Hoosier to repeat as conference champion in the discus. Before that, she will look to have an impact for IU during the indoor season.

The East Alton, Ill. native owns indoor personal bests of 19.31/63-4.25 in the Weight Throw and 16.96m/55-7.75 in the Shot Put.

Emily Herndon | So. | Columbus, Ind.

The Columbus, Ind. native makes up the final of three women's throwers on this year's roster.

She's competed four times for the Hoosiers and owns personal bests of 12.77m/41-10.75 (Shot Put) and 16.70m/54-9.5 (Weight Throw), both set at the Hoosier Open on December 9th.

Noah Koch | Jr. | Genoa, Ohio

A Division II All-American before arriving at IU, Koch has proven to be a very versatile athlete in the throws.

He was 8th in the Discus at last year's Division II National Championships and 7th in 2021. He also won a conference title in the event.

Coming into Bloomington this season, Koch will be able to produce in multiple events both indoors and outdoors for IU.

Sean Mockler | So. | Thurles, Ireland

An elite hammer thrower, Mockler returns for his sophomore year after making the NCAA Championships last year and winning an Irish National Title.

A Second Team All-American last year, Mockler scored in both indoors and outdoors at the Big Ten Championships and will look to produce his first Big Ten title in 2023.

He owns personal bests of 21.26m/69-9 in the Weight Throw and a program record of 68.68m/225-4 in the Hammer Throw.

Tyler Reyna | So. | Munster, Ind.

He has competed five times for IU including a personal best performance in the Weight Throw of 16.26m/53-4.25 at the Hoosier Open in December.

Hunter Smith | So. | New Carlisle, Ind.

One of six sophomore throwers, Smith has competed seven times for IU. He owns personal bests of 17.73m/58-2 in the Weight Throw and 45.66m/149-10 in the Discus.

Adam Strouf | Jr. | New Carlisle, Ind.

A transfer from Auburn before the 2022 season, Strouf finished 10th at the Big Ten Indoor Championships last season.

He's produced personal bests of 18.10m/59-4.75 in the Shot Put and 17.97m/58-11.5 in the Weight Throw.

Indiana University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Emily Herndon

Makayla Hunter

Noah Koch

Sean Mockler

Tyler Reyna

Hunter Smith

Adam Strouf

Jayden Ulrich

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