Mya Lesnar falls short at U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials

Mya Lesnar falls short at U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials

Mya Lesnar’s dream of representing America and winning an Olympic gold medal will have to wait another four years.

On Saturday (June 29), Lesnar finished last in the women’s shot put final at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials with a throw of 16.77 meters. Instead, two-time world champion Chase Jackson qualified for her first Olympics, as she finished first with a season-best throw of 20.10m.

Despite this setback, Lesnar had an exceptional 2023-2024 season for Colorado State University.

In March, the CSU Junior made history by becoming the school’s first women’s indoor track and field national champion, clinching the shot put title at the 2024 NCAA Indoor Championships. That same month, Lesnar was named the 2024 Mountain West Women’s Indoor Track and Field Student-Athlete of the Year, becoming just the second Ram to earn that honor. Then, in May, Lesnar shattered the Mountain West all-time shot put and championship records with a mark of 19.08 meters, winning her second gold medal at the 2024 Mountain West Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

While Lesnar’s path to Olympic glory may have ended prematurely, defeat is not in her vocabulary. Weeks before the Olympic trials, the daughter of former UFC and WWE Champion Brock Lesnar wrote on Instagram, “You either win or you learn.” This resilient mindset, reminiscent of her dad, suggests that Mya will use this experience as motivation moving forward.

Whether she follows in her father’s footsteps into the ring or MMA remains unknown, but one thing is evident: sports fans likely haven’t heard the last of the collegiate champion. Lesnar’s determination and talent ensure that her athletic career is far from over.