NEW HAVEN, Conn. — This past Saturday, Yale women's track and field captain and senior Emma Vasen competed at the New England Intercollegiate Amateur Athletic Association (NEICAAA) Outdoor Track and Field Championships and earned a first-place finish in the discus throw. In the process, she earned All-NEICAAA honors.
Entering the meet, Vasen's previous performances this spring had left her just short of qualifying for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field East Preliminary Meet. This was her last chance to earn a spot at the prestigious event.
"Going into the meet, I knew I was close and I only needed an extra meter to guarantee my spot into regionals. I tried to not put too much pressure on myself and recognized that it could go either way and I mentally prepared for this. If I didn't get it, I could still take pride in the career I've had at Yale before continuing my track career at the University of North Carolina. Instead of pressuring myself to make it happen and allowing myself this grace, I went into the day choosing to just let it happen," said Vasen.
After fouling her first attempt, Vasen put herself in third place on her second throw, but then launched the discus to a large personal record of 169'3" to secure the victory in discus. This mark is also No. 2 all-time at Yale. This performance is even more impressive, as this mark is nearly seven feet further than Vasen's previous best throw. Also, this mark helped Vasen unofficially secure a spot at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field East Preliminary Meet for discus.
"A I needed to do was put it all together for one throw. When it happened, I was very excited and it was great to share that moment with coach Duke Taylor and be in the excitement together. Making the regional meet has been a goal of mine since my first year, so I'm very proud to have achieved that and for my Yale track career to come full circle," said Vasen.
What helped Vasen make such a large jump in performance was her sole focus on discus recently in training.
"In terms of my training, we [she and Coach Taylor] decided to drop hammer throw and only focus on discus," said Vasen. "I have always been a multi-event thrower and it can be difficult to divide attention across all the different events. Knowing that I had the best chance to make it in discus, we only trained discus leading up to the meet, which really helped a lot."
It is certain that Vasen will continue her Yale career at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field East Preliminary Meet in discus, as she is ranked No. 36 in the East Region, and the top 48 individuals in the East Region qualify. Selections will be announced officially Thursday.
