Alekna, a Cal star representing Lithuania, throws 243-11 (74.35m) to surpass 1986 mark of 243-0.50 (74.08m) achieved by German competitor Jürgen Schult, in addition to bettering 2000 performance of 242-5 (73.88m) established by his father Virgilijus; Cuba’s Yaime Perez elevates to No. 10 all-time in women’s discus with 239-9 (73.09m) effort, best since 1989

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

For the first time in his life, 21-year-old Mykolas Alekna became the best discus thrower in his own family.

And for the first time in nearly 38 years, the discus event is also celebrating a new men’s world record.

Alekna, a Lithuanian star competing for Cal, eclipsed the all-time global performance Sunday at the Oklahoma Throws Series World Invitational, producing a fifth-round effort of 243 feet, 11 inches (74.35m) at Millican Field in Ramona, Okla.

RESULTS

Alekna surpassed the June 6, 1986 standard of 243-0.50 (74.08m) established by Germany’s Jürgen Schult in Neubrandenburg.

A two-time World Championships medalist, Alekna also achieved bragging rights over his father Virgilijus, who is now the No. 3 all-time discus competitor at 242-5 (73.88m) with his 2000 performance in Lithuania.

Alekna was originally credited with a mark of 244-1 (74.41m) by meet officials, before being adjusted following the steel tape measurement. Either way, he was able to take down the longest-standing field event world record in a series that featured all six throws beyond 70 meters.

Roje Stona, a Jamaican competitor who competed collegiately at Clemson and Arkansas, finished second in the discus event with a first-round effort of 226-6 (69.05m).

Cuba’s Yaime Perez elevated to the No. 10 all-time competitor in the women’s discus, achieving the best performance in the event globally since 1989 with her third-round effort of 239-9 (73.09m).

Vanderbilt graduate student-athlete Veronica Fraley ascended to the No. 3 performer in collegiate history with a fifth-round mark of 220-4 (67.17m) to place second.

Daniel Haugh, who produced a world all-time best in the 35-pound weight throw with an 86-5.25 (26.35m) performance Feb. 16 at the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., triumphed in the men’s hammer throw with a third-round effort of 259-3 (79.31m).

Denzel Comenentia, the Dutch record holder, was runner-up with a second-round mark of 255 feet (77.73m).

Arthur Petersen, a senior at Nebraska representing Denmark, won the men’s javelin throw competition with a fifth-round performance of 252-2 (76.86m).

Sindri Gudmundsson, an Icelandic competitor who was an All-American at both Mississippi State and Utah State, was second with a third-round throw of 249-4 (76.01m).

Uziel Aaron Munoz Galarza of Mexico secured victory in the men’s shot put with a fifth-round effort of 69-6.75 (21.20m).

T’Mond Johnson, a former Texas State standout, was second with a fourth-round mark of 65-9 (20.04m).

Erin Reese, who won the USATF Indoor weight throw title Feb. 17 in Albuquerque, emerged victorious in the women’s hammer throw with a sixth-round effort of 228-3 (69.59m).

Stamatia Scarvelis, representing Greece, earned runner-up honors with a fifth-round mark of 224-1 (68.31m).

Japanese competitor Sae Takemoto triumphed in the women’s javelin throw with a sixth-round performance of 184 feet (56.10m).

Nebraska senior Maddie Harris placed second with her third-round throw of 181-9 (55.41m).

North Texas standout KeAyla Dove, competing unattached, won the women’s shot put with a sixth-round mark of 60-5.25 (18.42m).

Abby Moore, an Oklahoma graduate, took second with an opening-round effort of 56-2.75 (17.14m).