Sports Odds and Ends
There are approximately 100 African American and other student-athletes of color at the University of Minnesota this school year. In an occasional series throughout the school year and sports year, the MSR will highlight many of these players. This week, Gopher redshirt freshman thrower Anthonett Nabwe is featured.
When a college student-athlete is redshirted, it gives her or him the time and space to transition from high school to collegiate competition. It also gives them an extra year of eligibility.
Anthonett “Annie” Nabwe is one of nine redshirt freshmen on the 2023-24 Gophers track team and one of 15 sistahs on the roster. She is the only Black thrower on the team.
The Liberian-born Nabwe arrived in Jamestown, N.D. just before her high school freshman year. She later set a state record for the shot put and swept the throwing events at the Class A championships, finishing third in the 100-meter dash in her senior year. Nabwe as a junior won the N.D. state shot put and discus, runners-up in the 100m, and placed third in the javelin.
A three-sport athlete (basketball, volleyball and track), Nabwe recently told the MSR before a workout that she likes throwing. “In high school,” she recalled, “I did everything, and I don’t really like the training for running.”
Focusing on throwing in college has fit her perfectly, says a teammate and their coach. “She has really long arms, noted senior Shelly Frank, a fellow thrower. “That definitely helps. And she’s really fast. I think that really helps her being a really good thrower.”
“She’s an incredible competitor,” added Gopher Associate Head Coach Peter Miller. “She’s not outspoken. She doesn’t get mad at people. She doesn’t show her emotions, but she wants to beat people.”
“Last year when I came in,” continued Nabwe, “I had to learn a new method because I glide in high school into shot and I had to change” in order to compete at the collegiate level, she pointed out.
In February, Nabwe became the first Minnesota freshman to win the Big Ten weight throw title at the conference’s indoor championships. She edged out teammate Frank, who won the bronze.
“The goal was to get a medal,” admitted Nabwe. “I was surprised that I got first place.”
Miller said Nabwe initially was nervous going into the championships, like “any freshman that performs at that level the first time. She did a great job of allowing me to put her in a position to be successful and trusting me, then executing the plan that we put together the day before.”
The thrower last month was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and finished as second-team All-American. Miller also was named Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
Miller believes that Nabwe’s growth potential is endless. “I think the biggest thing for her is going to be consistency. I think she’s starting to learn how to train.
“I think she’s been challenged by Shelly, because Shelly is one of the best in the country,” surmised the coach. “I think [Nabwe] found the right place where a lot of people genuinely want to see her successful, and she’s put in a ton of work.”
“I think shot is my favorite,” said Nabwe, who wants to go to grad school for physical therapy. “But right now, the main focus is a hammer because that’s probably going to be my best event.”
Achievements
St. Thomas junior guard Jade Hill made the College Sports Communications (CSC) Academic All-District team for the second consecutive season. Gopher sophomore guard Amaya Battle also made the CSC team this season.
Norfolk State junior forward Kierra Wheeler was named HBCU first-team All-American and HBCU National Player of the Year. Her 14 double-doubles ranked in the nation’s top 30, and she finished in the MEAC top five in FG percentage (1st), blocked shots (tied for 1st), scoring (2nd) and rebounding (2nd). The Minneapolis native helped lead her Spartans to their second straight MEAC championship and NCAA appearance.
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