Brentwood’s Rivera throws best-in-US shot put

January 7, 2015

FullSizeRender — Myrle Mensey, director of the Throwing and Growing foundation presents Sophia Rivera with first place in shot put.

Brentwood junior Sophia Rivera has competed in track and field since middle school, and in December threw a best in the US shot put—high school girls so far this indoor season—with a 48 feet, 2 3/4 inches throw at the Throwing and Growing competition at the YMCA’s Youth and Family Center in St. Louis.

Myrle Mensey, director of the Throwing and Growing foundation presents Sophia Rivera with first place in shot put. — Myrle Mensey, director of the Throwing and Growing foundation, presents Sophia Rivera with first place in shot put.

The throw was a PR (personal record) for Rivera by almost a foot. See a video of her throw below.

Rivera had a good summer throwing, according to her mother, Michelle Hassemer.

She threw 45’8” at the Missouri State Meet in the spring, then 46′ at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals to grab the bronze, gold at the USATF Youth Track & Field Championships with 44’1.25″. She had another PR with a 47’2.5″ at the USATF Junior National Championships for fifth place.

Hassemer said Rivera also had a great summer in javelin, taking 4th at Junior Nationals with a PR of 157 feet—sixth-best in the nation.

Rivera’s next indoor meet will likely be the Big River Running meet at Mizzou on the January 18.