Fantastic meet Friday at Penn for the versatile Teyana Ames, a Rutgers sophomore from Atlantic County Tech.
Ames recorded a more than two-foot shot put PR on her 1st throw at the 128th annual Penn Relays. She threw 47-10 ¾ and placed 5th,, less than a foot behind winner Olamide Enajekpo of George Mason, who threw 48-9 ½ on her 2nd throw.
Ames’ previous PR was 45-9 ¾ from an indoor meet in January in Boston. Her outdoor PR was 45-9 ½ at a home meet in Piscataway last year.
Ames’ versatility is remarkable. She’s not only a 47-foot shot putter but a 5-7 high jumper, a mark she hit at the Armory last indoor season.
After hitting the 47-10 ¾ on her first throw, Ames threw 45-7, 42-6 ¾, 44-1 ½ and 42-10 ¾.
Her 47-10 ¾ is No. 6 in Rutgers history and No. 2 among South Jersey athletes. Sylvia Galarza of Millville threw 49-2 ¼ when she won the 2007 Penn Relays.
It’s also No. 8 all-time by a woman who attended a South Jersey high school.
62-3 ½ … Jessica Woodard [Cherokee], May 20, 2021, Tucson, Ariz.
58-6 ¼ … Jamine Moton [Delsea], May 13, 2001, Clemson, S.C.
50-5 … Victoria Imbesi [Our Lady of Mercy], May 6, 2012, Philadelphia
49-10 ¾ … Shamere Rothmiller [Glassboro], May 4, 2007, Greensboro, N.C.
49-10 … Tara Daniels [Kingsway], Feb. 6, 2016, Boston
49-2 ¼ … Sylvia Galarza [Millville], April 26, 2007, Philadelphia
48-7 … Melinda Boykin [Bridgeton], May 19, 2001, Princeton
47-10 ¾ … Teyana Ames [Atlantic County Tech], April 26, 2024, Philadelphia
46-11 ¼ … Erica Davis [Northern Burlington], April 27, 2007, Philadelphia
46-8 ¼ … Janiece Rose [Delsea], May 15, 2015, Muncie, Ind.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 