Winthrop’s Cooper Places 42nd in NCAA East Regional Hammer Throw To Complete Freshman Season

JACKSONVILLE, FL–Winthrop hammer throw standout Marthaline Cooper completed her freshman season by placing 42nd in the NCAA East Regional this past weekend.

Although Cooper (Providence, RI) came up short of her goal of finishing among the top 12 in the region which would have qualified her for the NCAA National Championships next week in Eugene, OR, she did have an outstanding freshman year, according to head coach Ben Paxton. In her performance at North Florida University, she had a long throw of 52.41 meters (171 ft.-11 in.). Her best throw this season was 56.84 meters which set a school record and ranked her 33rd in the region which qualified her for a spot in the East Regional.

“To make it (to regionals) as a freshman is huge. Hammer throwers get better each year,” said Paxton. “Marthaline was No. 3 in the East and No. 6 nationally. Her year was phenomenal and she will only get better with experience.”

Cooper won the Big South hammer throw title and earned All-Conference honors in April.