Leaving Her Mark

UB thrower continues to add to list of accomplishments

As the University at Buffalo's first three-time Mid-American Conference Champion, track and field star Sarah Fletcher knows a thing or two about being recognized for her achievements. But Sunday evening at the University's annual athletic banquet, Fletcher gained a new honor to add to her still growing list, being named Buffalo's Female Athlete of the Year.

Sarah Fletcher

"It was an honor being named Female Athlete of the Year," said Fletcher. "The women who have won it in previous years have done wonderful things for the athletic department here at UB. To be recognized among them is truly amazing."

This is quite an accomplishment for an athlete who didn't begin her throwing career until she was in ninth grade.

"I joined a club and began competing over the summer. I threw discus and shot put, and only threw hammer at meets because we did not have anywhere to throw it."

The lack of necessary facilities didn't seem to hold back the three-time All-MAC honoree. Neither did the late start in her career at UB.

"I actually started my athletic career at Illinois State University, but transferred after a year and a half," said Fletcher. "After the death of my father I felt like I had to be closer to my family. UB enabled me to live at home and do what I love to do- throw!"

Fletcher's family has always played a big role in her athletic career as well as her personal life.

"My mother has had the largest impact on my athletic career," said Fletcher. "I would not be where I am today if it were not for her. She always told me that when it is not fun anymore that I should quit and that she would support my decision."

Perhaps it was from her family that she learned one of her most important athletic traits, grace under pressure.

"I am a very laid back competitor, but at the same time I am there to win and will do everything in my power to accomplish that," said Fletcher. "I do not get very nervous at big meets. I look at it as a great opportunity to throw with some of the best women in the United States."

The optimistic attitude has paved the way to many accomplishments for the Ridgeway, Ontario native. But as the list grows, one moment still sticks out for her.

"It is hard for me to pick just one achievement that I am most proud of. I would have to say meeting Bill Cosby after winning the Penn Relays ranks pretty high," said Fletcher. "The thing I am most proud of is wining the MAC Championships when they were held at UB. I was not ranked first going into the meet, but I had the home advantage. It was awesome having my family and teammates there cheering me on."

Though Fletcher is back at the top of her game now, there was a brief point last year when she had to face the difficulty of being injured.

"I was at my final competition during the indoor season throwing the weight," said Fletcher. "I threw a bad throw and suddenly felt tremendous pain in my lower back, causing me to pass the rest of my throws. I tried throwing in the first outdoor meet, but was in too much pain. I later came to find out that I had a bulged disc in my lower back."

Fletcher didn't allow her injury to get in the way of her plans of returning to her team.

"At first I thought that it would be nice to be a ‘normal’ college student," said Fletcher. "Just having to worry about going to class and doing homework. But that got old really fast. I missed it so much and could not wait to get back into training. I learned that you have to let an injury completely heal in order to come back and be able to dedicate 100% to training."

The support of her family helped her to get through the difficult recovery from her injury and helped her to focus on the future.

"Everyone was very supportive of me," said Fletcher. "My family knew how much it broke my heart not to be able to travel to meets with the team. They kept reminding me that I would be able to come back the following spring and pick up where I left off."

After six months of rest, Fletcher was able to rejoin the squad pain free. Although she was apprehensive at her first meet back with the team, Fletcher has not only been able to return to competition as good as ever, but even better.

"The first meet of the year was a little nerve racking," said Fletcher. "It had been over a year and a half since I threw outdoors. But once I got the first meet out of the way, it has been smooth sailing. This past weekend, I broke the school record in the hammer and provisionally qualified for the NCAA Tournament at LSU."

Fletcher may still have the best to come as she completes her senior season. Already a three-time Mid-American Conference champion (two indoor 20-pound weight throw titles and the 2000 outdoor hammer title), she just last week broke the Mid-American Conference and UB all-time record in the hammer with a distance of 187-10 at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia, finishing second. That mark provisionally qualifies her for the NCAA Division I Championships at LSU at the end of May, with the Mid-American Conference Championships still to come May 9-11th. Fletcher also holds the UB records for the indoor 20-lb weight throw and the outdoor discus.

As Fletcher finishes up her senior year at UB, her career as a thrower doesn't stop there.

"I am not completely sure what my goals are for the future," said Fletcher. "I want to continue throwing and be the number one hammer thrower in Canada."

Written by Laura L. Martin, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

05/02/2002