EUGENE, Ore. (Jun 10, 2022) -
Rhema Otabor earned first-team All-American honors and
Filippa Miller took home second-team, as the FIU Panthers concluded its 2022 outdoor track campaign on an exceptional note Thursday evening at Hayward Field.
Thursday served as the first time in program history the Panthers had a first-team and second-team All-American at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The Panthers have qualified for NCAA's in seven consecutive seasons now under head coach
Ryan Heberling.
Otabor, a sophomore, threw 55.92m on her second attempt in the javelin to earn a fourth place finish. Otabor became the first FIU track and field athlete since Clarissa Cutliff in 2018 and 2019 to appear in consecutive NCAA Outdoor Championships.
"We're so proud of Rhema and all that she has accomplished this season," said head coach
Ryan Heberling. "She's also just scratching the surface of how good she can be. Right now though, it's a moment she worked so hard for and deserved."
Filippa Miller made her first appearance at the outdoor championships, and cleared 4.20m on the final attempt, earning second-team All-American honors with a 14th place finish.
"I'm very happy," said Miller, who brushed the bar at 4.20m before it stayed up after a brief, dramatic wobble, advancing her to the next height. "That was a great feeling. I feel like I've grown a lot this year. Being consistent over four meters is great. Last year - I only did it once."
"Filippa is just a sophomore as well, and she's been a leader for a pole vault group that will just continue to get better," said Heberling. "She peaked at the right time this season, and more good things are ahead for her."
SOCIAL MEDIA
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