Turner Washington, Jorinde van Klinken claim discus national titles

In a memorable NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the maroon and gold, the Arizona State throwers stole the show.

After winning the shot put national championship on Wednesday, Turner Washington wasn’t done.

On Friday, he claimed the discus title thanks to a first round heave of 63.42m/208-1. With the championship, he became the first Sun Devil since Olympian Ryan Whiting in 2010 to sweep the indoor shot put and outdoor discus and shot put events.

“It feels great,” Washington said. “It’s something that’s not done every year so to be in a select group of people, it’s a real blessing and I’m really happy to be where I am right now.”

Washington is now one of three athletes in NCAA history to accomplish the feat, and two of the three are Sun Devils in Whiting and Washington.

“I didn’t know that, but that’s what we do at ASU and that’s why we came to ASU to throw,” said Washington of being in the same category as Whiting. “It really is Throws U so to be mentioned with Ryan, it’s awesome.”

Washington also spoke highly of his head coach and what it took to get him this far as a three-time national champ in the 2020-21 season.

“We can train outside a lot (at ASU) and Brian Blutreich, that’s the blue print. You come to him and he’ll fix you up and get you throwing far,” Washington said. “Young people, if you want to throw far, you know where to go.”

Washington’s win was the second time in men’s program history that a Sun Devil has claimed a discus crown.

Washington wasn’t the only thrower to shine over the weekend, too. For the ASU women, Jorinde van Klinken shined in the spotlight. She also took home a discus national championship after a huge 65.01m/213-3 on her final throw to claim the title.

The heave broke a 21-year meet record set by UCLA’s Seilala Sua in 2000. Van Klinken’s victory marked the eighth time in school history that ASU had a women’s discus champ.

Overall, ASU’s program performed well in Eugene aside from just the throwers. In addition to Washington and van Klinken’s accomplishments, Alizee Minard finished second in javelin with a mark of 57.91m/190.

Additionally, Beatrice Llano (hammer) and freshman Jamar Marshal Jr. (110m hurdles) placed in the top-five of their respective events as the program finished off the track season in style.