Multi-tasker Rivera hits 180 in the javelin

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

In one fell swoop of an afternoon last week in Missouri, Sophia Rivera of Brentwood made a lot of things happen at her team’s home invitational.

She threw 51 feet and 1 inch to win the shot put. She tossed the discus 151 feet, 1 inch.

And then there was a ceremony to honor the track team’s seniors and Rivera took part in that. And the school went to the extra step of retiring her number as a way to preserve the memory of one of high school track and field’s all-time greatest throwers.

Rivera doesn’t wear a number, of course. So the school “retired” No. 4, which is her favorite number.

The meet wasn’t over. Rivera moved to the javelin and on her third throw she caught a big one: 180 feet, 4 inches. It was the third-best of all-time, a new personal record, and a Missouri all-time best.

That distance also checks off another box. It assures her entry into the U.S. Olympic Trials in July in Eugene, Ore.

“The javelin (went) far beyond what I thought I was going to do,” Rivera said. “I was ecstatic.”

Last summer, Rivera earned a silver medal in the shot put at the IAAF World Youth Championships. Her participation in the shot put overlapped with the javelin, so she was essentially competing in both events at the same time. Rivera fouled one attempt and took three others, finishing eighth in the javelin.

In spite of her successes in the shot put, Rivera considers javelin to be her No. 1 event.

“I would say the main focus is javelin, the secondary focus is on shot and then discus is just there,” Rivera said.

Based on her 180-foot throw, Rivera could be poised for great things this summer.

“It’s definitely a great indicator of the season to come,” Rivera said. “(180) is beyond where I thought I would be this early in the season.”

After having a chance to review the video, the University of Wisconsin signee saw the pieces of her throw come together.

“I think that (throw), I held my arm back really well and I just fell into place,” she said. “My right knee was turned in, my hips came through, and I got a good release on that one.”

Rivera will compete for her team in-state through the Missouri state meet before taking on an ambitious post-season to cap her high school career. Brentwood has the Clayton Invitational on Saturday.