Rutgers junior Tey’ana Ames from Atlantic County Tech became the fourth 50-foot shot putter in South Jersey history with a big PR at the Ott Center.
Ames threw 50-8 ¼ and placed 2nd at the Penn Select Invitational. Her previous PR was 47-11 from the Penn Relays in April of 2024. Her previous indoor PR was 45-9 ¾ in January of 2024 in Boston.
Ames joins Worlds finalist Jessica Woodard of Cherokee [63-7 ¾ in 2021], Jamine Moton of Delsea [58-6 ¼ in 2001], Victoria Imbesi of Our Lady of Mercy [50-5 in 2012] and Sylvia Galarza of Millville [50-0 ¾ in 2008] as the 5th 50-footer South Jersey has produced.
Her throw is 4th-best in Rutgers indoor history, behind Jasmine Van Note from Sayreville [54-5 ¼ in New York in 2023], Alicia Campbell from Snyder in Jersey City [51-11 ¾ in Geneva, Ohio, in 2024] and Millville’s Galarza [50-0 ¾ in New York in 2008].
Ames’ throw is currently No. 25 in NCAA Division 1. Villanova junior Maria Deaviz from Souderton won the event with a throw of 53-0. Ciarra Demarest of Williamstown, a Rutgers sophomore, was 5th at 42-7, just eight inches off her PR of 43-3 from a meet in March in Princeton.
Ames’ throw is No. 10 in the Big 10 Conference this year.
She opened with a foul and then an indoor PR 47-9 ¾ before the big 50-8 ¼ on her 3rd throw. She added a 49-3 ¾ – her 2nd-best throw ever – before finishing with a 45-1 ½ and a foul.
The versatile Ames has also cleared 5-7 in the high jump for Rutgers, although she hasn’t competed in the high jump since April 2024.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 