Monmouth University freshman Danielle Steff made her college debut Saturday by placing second with a huge PR throw of 149-2 at the 49ers Classic at the Irwin Belk Track and Field Center at the University of Charlotte (N.C.).
Steff, a graduate of Rancocas Valley, finished just nine inches behind Danielle Konopelski of Queens University of Charlotte, who had a winning throw of 149-11.
Steff set her previous career best in her last meet, throwing 139-0 at the National Scholastic Championships in nearby Greensboro, N.C.
Steff’s best throw outside the state of North Carolina is a 137-4 junior year at sectionals at Egg Harbor.
Steff got off six legal throws that averaged 134-8. She opened with the 149-2 winner — on her first collegiate throw — and also threw 137-5 and 137-11 in the trials, then closed with throws of 122-1, 125-5 and 136-4 in the finals.
Her 149-2 is sixth-best in the country early on in NCAA Division 1, according to the Direct Athletics database.
Steff’s former high school teammate, Temple freshman Julianne Foering, placed 10th with a throw of 126-5, also on her first attempt.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 