Academy javelin star adds to her trophy shelf

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METAIRIE, La. (AFPN) --  A 2006 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate was named the Female Field Event Athlete of the Year for the Mountain Region, officials from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced June 1. Dana Pounds, a newly commissioned second lieutenant, will look to defend her national title at the NCAA Championships next week.

The USTFCCCA awarded six winners from each of the nine regional districts. These 18 coaches and 36 athletes were nominated by Division I coaches, who also voted on the winners.

Recording distances of more than 170 feet at every meet this season, Pounds has continued to rewrite history. Most recently, she set a new NCAA Midwest Regional record javelin throw of 186 feet, 10 inches, to win her second straight regional title.

Before the regional meet, she blasted the Academy, Mountain West Conference and MWC Championship-meet records with a toss of 195 feet, 8 inches, winning her third straight conference title.

The throw, which is the best throw in the NCAA this season, matches the best collegiate throw ever by an American and is the second-best toss by anyone in the country this year.

In addition, Pounds became the first three-time javelin champion in the history of the Drake Relays, tossing the second-best mark ever at Drake (178 feet,10 inches) -- a throw just shy of her own record.