Neni Lewis, Mary Roman go on record rampage at East Regionals
Neni Lewis and Mary Roman wreaked havoc on the record books yesterday in Albany, New York. Competing in the hammer, weight and superweight throws at the USATF East Region Masters Championships at SUNY, Neni set world records in the hammer and weight throw. Her mark in the superweight qualifies only as an American record, since WMA doesn’t recognize it as a record event. Results aren’t posted yet for the two-day meet (which continues today at Ichabod Crane High School), but USATF Masters throws coordinator (and world-class M60 thrower) Jerry Bookin-Weiner shared highlights.
Neni threw in W45 at last year's Oshkosh nationals. (Photo by Ken Stone)
Jerry wrote me yesterday:
Neni Lewis set two World and American Records (hammer and weight throw) and on American record (superweight, for which there is no WR) in W50. In the hammer she went 54.30 (178-2), in the weight throw 17.28 (56-8 1/2) and in the superweight 12.14 (39-10). She actually upped the existing records repeatedly in all three events. Her top throw in the hammer was on her third attempt.
Her hammer series was 51.11 (167-8), 51.32 (168-4), 54.30, 53.31 (174-11), 48.53 (159-2) and 51.11 (167-8).
In the weight throw her top throw was her last and her series was 16.49 (54-1 1/4), 15.78 (51-9 1/4), 17.03 (55-10 1/2), 17.19 (56-4 3/4), 16.66 (54-8) and 17.28 (56-8 1/2).
In the superweight she also saved her best for last with a series of 11.62 (38-1 1/2), 11.69 (38-4 1/4), 11.90 (39-0 1/2), foul, 12.10 (39-8 1/2) and 12.14.
Mary Roman in W70-74 broke her own record of 5.77 (18-11 1/4) in the (25-pound) superweight on each of her last three throws, going 5.87 (19-3 1/4), 5.90 (19-4 1/4) and ending with her best, a 5.98 (19-7 1/2) record setter.
Neni’s next meet is the Long and Strong Classic in Pennsylvania next weekend. She’s skipping the shot, discus and javelin in the East Region meet. . . .
Everything should be in order on these records and the paperwork will be sent in shortly.
Neni’s 54.30 with the 3-kilogram hammer broke her own recent W50 WR of 53.14 meters (174-4) — which had creamed the listed W50 world record of 51.73 (169-8) by Australia’s Marja Leena Parviainen in 1998. The listed WR in the 16-pound weight throw is 16.54 (54-3 1/4) by Parviainen in 1997. And the listed American record for her age group in the 25-pound superweight is 11.51 (37-9 1/4) by world champ Carol Finsrud in 2007.
Almost as incredible as Neni’s records was the fact she fouled only once in 18 throws! That’s impressive given the technical difficulty of these events. Neni doesn’t arm them. She spins and spins.
4 Responses
Congratulations to Neni & Mary. What a fabulous day for throwers.
I asked Neni once about her spin – as she has he ability to step and plant her feet at a speed that the naked eye has a hard time seeing. She offered that back in high school she was a sprinter and could explode out of the blocks. When the ankle injury sidelined her running and recovery led her to discovering throwing – that stepping power was redirected into her spins.
Anyone have a slow mo of Neni in action?
Mary you just keeping getting better and better and it is such fun cheering for you!
Neni is the best of the best!!!!
I’m proud to call her my coach and friend.
To watch her break the world record in the hammer in practices on Sunday morning with friends is outstanding, but so predictable, that is how good she is.
And to see her in good health, her new records will fall just as quickly!!!
Unanimous selection for the Hall of Fame.
Well said Joe.
Curious – Why isn’t she already in the Masters T&F Hall of Fame? Anybody offer a tutorial on the process? Thanks.
This is a great effort
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