Shauniece O'Neal Earns First-Team All-American Status
03/11/2021 | 7:50:00 | Track and Field
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the first time in her collegiate career, Shauniece O'Neal has earned First-Team All-American honors after placing seventh in the weight throw at the 2021 NCAA Indoor Championships.
"I'm so happy for Shauniece's All-American finish today," said Director of T&F/XC Rosalind Joseph. "Putting the Salukis on the board at an NCAA event is exciting, especially after the hardships of COVID."
O'Neal came out strong with a throw of 21.21m (69'-7") on her first attempt, which was good for third in the field through the first round. The Florissant, Mo., native went on to throw for 21.17m (69'-5.5") on her second attempt before gaining a little more distance with her third attempt (21.40m/70'-2.5"). O'Neal's position coach, J.C. Lambert, could be seen on to the left side of the net giving O'Neal pointers every time the senior thrower stepped out of the ring. For Lambert, this is his first time getting a chance to coach O'Neal in-person since Feb. 13, as he was unable to attend the Missouri Valley Championships due to COVID-19 protocols.
"It's always good to come into a National meet, make the finals and score points," said Lambert. "At the National meet, points scored are tough points earned."
O'Neal fouled on her fourth attempt before launching the weight 21.66m (71'-0.75") on her fifth, which placed her in the top-eight of the even heading into her final attempt. O'Neal saved her best for last, as she threw for 21.77m (71'-5.25") in the final round to solidify her status as a First-Team All-American.
"Shauniece competed very well today," continued Lambert. "She had the right attitude and right mindset the whole day and throughout the meet. I was very proud of that."
Louisville's Makenli Forrest won the weight throw with a mark of 23.26 (76'-3.76"), which broke the school's program record. Notre Dame's Rachel Tanczos placed second (23.24m/76'-3"), followed Shey Taiwo and Jasmine Mitchell – a pair of Rebels that led the nation in the event heading into today's completion.
O'Neal becomes the first Saluki since 2017 to earn the distinct honors (Kyle Landon, Jared Kern), while being the first SIU female to do so since the trio of Raven Saunders, DeAnna Price and Sophia Lozano did so in 2015. In all, O'Neal is the 81st Saluki to earn First-Team All-American indoor honors and the 21st female to do so indoors, while being the first Saluki under Rosalind Joseph to earn the honors.
"She represented herself, her team and the university well," said Joseph. "We're really proud of her hard work and dedication to making it to the big stage."
A'veun Moore-Jones will look to join O'Neal in the All-American ranks when she takes to the ring at 9:30 a.m. for the women's shot put finals.
Click here to view the final results from the women's weight throw.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
For the latest updates on the Salukis, be sure to follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
"I'm so happy for Shauniece's All-American finish today," said Director of T&F/XC Rosalind Joseph. "Putting the Salukis on the board at an NCAA event is exciting, especially after the hardships of COVID."
O'Neal came out strong with a throw of 21.21m (69'-7") on her first attempt, which was good for third in the field through the first round. The Florissant, Mo., native went on to throw for 21.17m (69'-5.5") on her second attempt before gaining a little more distance with her third attempt (21.40m/70'-2.5"). O'Neal's position coach, J.C. Lambert, could be seen on to the left side of the net giving O'Neal pointers every time the senior thrower stepped out of the ring. For Lambert, this is his first time getting a chance to coach O'Neal in-person since Feb. 13, as he was unable to attend the Missouri Valley Championships due to COVID-19 protocols.
"It's always good to come into a National meet, make the finals and score points," said Lambert. "At the National meet, points scored are tough points earned."
O'Neal fouled on her fourth attempt before launching the weight 21.66m (71'-0.75") on her fifth, which placed her in the top-eight of the even heading into her final attempt. O'Neal saved her best for last, as she threw for 21.77m (71'-5.25") in the final round to solidify her status as a First-Team All-American.
"Shauniece competed very well today," continued Lambert. "She had the right attitude and right mindset the whole day and throughout the meet. I was very proud of that."
Louisville's Makenli Forrest won the weight throw with a mark of 23.26 (76'-3.76"), which broke the school's program record. Notre Dame's Rachel Tanczos placed second (23.24m/76'-3"), followed Shey Taiwo and Jasmine Mitchell – a pair of Rebels that led the nation in the event heading into today's completion.
O'Neal becomes the first Saluki since 2017 to earn the distinct honors (Kyle Landon, Jared Kern), while being the first SIU female to do so since the trio of Raven Saunders, DeAnna Price and Sophia Lozano did so in 2015. In all, O'Neal is the 81st Saluki to earn First-Team All-American indoor honors and the 21st female to do so indoors, while being the first Saluki under Rosalind Joseph to earn the honors.
"She represented herself, her team and the university well," said Joseph. "We're really proud of her hard work and dedication to making it to the big stage."
A'veun Moore-Jones will look to join O'Neal in the All-American ranks when she takes to the ring at 9:30 a.m. for the women's shot put finals.
Click here to view the final results from the women's weight throw.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
For the latest updates on the Salukis, be sure to follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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