Cinnaminson graduate Malicah Etienne, a freshman at Georgian Court, hit a huge shot put PR with the 16-pound ball Friday at the Fastrack National Invitational at Ocean Breeze. It was only his 3rd college meet.
Etienne popped a 53-9 ¼ on his final attempt and placed 2nd to Columbia’s Obiora Okeke, who threw 58-0 ¼.
That’s No. 3 in school history behind current teammate Ryan Roger from Toms River North [54-9 ½ in 2020] and current Georgian Court junior Robbie Babson of Toms River South [54-8 ¼ last year]. It’s the best throw by a Georgian Court freshman.
Etienne’s PR coming into the meet was 50-7 ¼ from a meet last month at the same facility in Staten Island. He surpassed that with a 50-11 on his 3rd attempt before the nearly 3-foot PR on his final attempt, which moved him up from 7th place to 2nd.
That 53-9 ¼ is No. 2 in the East Coast Conference this year behind teammate Robbie Babson, who threw 53-10 ½ last month in a meet in Lancaster, Pa.
Etienne threw 55-11 at the Meet of Champions last spring with the 12-pound shot, so he’s definitely taken to the heavier college implement. He also threw 177-4 in the discus last spring.
Georgian Court coach Mike Murawski was a state high jump champion at Holy Cross and is the Duquesne school record holder in the decathlon [6,140 points] and high jump [6-8 ¼].
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 