BOSTON — Giavonna Meeks capped her 2024 indoor season with a sixth-place finish at the NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field Championships.
“Today was a great day on the field for Vanderbilt,” director of track and field and cross country Althea Thomas said. “Giavonna brought the experience she gained last year, especially the experience she gained going to the Pan Am U20 meet. She showed a level of belonging all season that was solidified today with her performance in her first-ever NCAA Championships. She came in and applied the skills and adjustments and showed up when it mattered. That’s what these track meets are about, coming and executing and being the best on that day. And today, she is an All-American, one of the best throwers in the NCAA.”
Meeks’ top throw measured 21.73 meters. She was the only freshman to advance to the final and recorded the best finish by a freshman in the weight throw at the NCAA Indoor Championships since Jenny Dalhgren of Georgia placed third in 2004. Meeks is Vanderbilt’s first-ever freshman to score at the indoor national championships and first freshman to individually score at any NCAA Championship since Amanda Helberg finished eighth in the 400-meter hurdles in 1997.
“I think it caps off an unbelievable season that she’s put together,” assistant throws coach John Newell said. “Her performance at the SEC meet was a huge breakthrough and a lot of times it’s difficult to come back the next meet and perform after such an emotional high, so for her to be able to come back and do that amongst the NCAA’s best is outstanding.”
Vanderbilt track and field opens its outdoor season at the USF Bulls Invitational March 15-16.
