Cal Track & Field: Stunner at the NCAAs - Big Favorite Mykolas Alekna Third in Discus

A stunning outcome for Cal discus star Mykolas Alekna at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Austin, Texas, on Friday evening.

The sophomore from Lithuania, heavily favored as the collegiate recordholder and 2023 world leader, finished just third in a competition he would have won with his best mark in any of his previous 10 meets over two seasons.

Alekna wound up with a best throw of 207 feet, 6 inches (63.25 meters) — more than 25 feet off his best. His collegiate record is 232-11 (71.00), which ranks No 18 on the all-time world list, less than three meters behind his father, two-time Olympic champion Virgilijus Alekna, who sits at No. 2 all-time.

Over the past two seasons, in 14 collegiate competitions, Alekna has prevailed 12 times but come up short both times at the NCAA nationals. A year ago he lost by two centimeters.

This time he fouled on his first two attempts and needed a throw of 202-11 (61.86) to climb into fifth place and earn three more throws in the finals.

His throw of 205-0 (62.49) in the fourth round bumped him to fourth place and he inched up to third with his final attempt.

Last summer, still 19, Alekna introduced himself to the world audience by winning a silver medal at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

So this was unforseen, given that Alekna threw at least 222 feet in all five of his previous college meets this season, winning each of them.

After his runner-up finish at the 2022 NCAAs, he sandwiched victories at the Lithuanian nationals and the European championships around his performance at the Worlds, where he became the youngest man to ever win a medal in the discus.

Arizona State senior Turner Washington won with a throw of 217-3 (66.22) on his final attempt. Roje Stona of Arkansas was second at 215-0 (66.55) and defending champion Claudio Romero was fourth at 205-7 (62.67).

Cover photo of Mykolas Alekna by Brendan Maloney

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo