On Monday, Feb. 17, senior Maggie McNulty announced her commitment to The Catholic University of America track and field. She is the first javelin thrower of the Class of 2025 to pursue the sport at the collegiate level.
“I’m excited to meet all my new teammates and be a part of another community,” McNulty told The Fanscotian.
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research institution in Washington, D.C.. The Cardinals are a part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), competing in the Landmark Conference at the division III level.
The CUA cross country and track and field program have five national and four conference championships, along with producing 51 All-Americans attributed to their extensive legacy
“I visited [CUA] in the summer and I loved the campus,” McNulty said. “The coach reached out, and I ended up falling in love with it all over again.”
With combined decades of coaching experience, Ken Hernandez, Jonathon Stack and Izu Mozie annually prepare and train athletes to reach new levels. The throwing department of the SPF track and field program has made a notable mark in the county. McNulty appreciates her coaches’ support during the shift from the winter to spring season and their commitment to her development.
“They’re all really understanding of different situations. They knew I was coming from basketball season,” McNulty said. “They [found] what I was really strong in and helped me improve overall.”
Last spring, the javelin trio of current Rider University thrower Mackenzie Virgil, Isabella Licata and McNulty were Union County Javelin Relay Champions on May 3. McNulty placed ninth out of 48 competitors with a throw of 96-0 (meters, centimeters).
On May 22, McNulty tossed a 100-9 mark at the individual county championship meet, finishing seven out of 45. Over a week later, she nearly matched her previous throw with a 100-8 to take sixth overall at the state sectional meet. To wrap up the season, McNulty recorded her best mark of 102-4, finding herself taking the 14th position in the group final meet.
The throwing co-captain has a few months left to push for new personal records and create lasting memories while repping her high school uniform. She hopes to make the most of her fourth and final season by individually flinging her career best and earning as many points for the team as possible.
“Personally, hitting a new PR, 110-112; as a [throwing] team bringing a bunch of points to the overall track team [are my goals],” McNulty said.
