COMPETITORS IN THE GIRLS DISCUS LISTEN TO FINAL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FRIDAY'S COMPETITION
RESULTS FROM FRIDAY'S CYCLONE RELAYS
INTERVIEWS FROM THE CYCLONE RELAYS
The girls discus competition at the Cyclone Relays on Good Friday featured two of the best in Arkansas history- Heber Springs Eva Orr and Providence Academy's Addi Russell.
Orr, a senior at Heber Springs, won the competition with a throw of 138-10. Russell was just a few feet behind at 132-10.
Both throwers opted to compete in the meet by themselves as it was not on their team's schedule. For Orr, it was the second meet in as many days.
"Throwing in two meets in a week and going back to back is a lot different, but the Meet of Champions will be here in Russellville so I knew I needed to come here while my schedule is open before that day comes. It was harder than I expected, especially in the shot put. But, it was a good day to go throw."
On Thursday, Orr threw the shot put 45-4 to win the Badger Senior High Relays with a personal record and Arkansas No.1 throw of 45-4. All-time, the throw ranks No. 3 in Arkansas history and less than two inches behind the No. 2 throw.
Arkansas All-Time List for Girls Discus
Friday, Orr's throw of 138-10 in the discus broke the meet record 134-9 which had been on the books for 24 years.
"That's my goal every time I get out there," Orr said of breaking records. "My discus has been really consistent lately so I'm really happy and hoping for some big throws to come up."
If Russell, a junior, keeps progressing the way she has this season and decides to compete in the Cyclone Relays in 2027, Orr's record may be one year and done. Russell leads the Class of 2027 throwers by 17 feet and is currently ranked No. 6 all-time for Arkansas juniors in the event.
"It's so cool that I get the opportunity to do this, coming from Colorado," Russell said. "The competition is different here, but it's so exciting that I get to throw here and throw with some of the best girls in the state."
Arkansas All-Time List for Junior Girls in the Discus
It wasn't the first time Orr and Russell have competed against one another.
"It's a great environment to compete against her and compete against someone who is better than me," Russell said. " We get along so great so it's nice to just have a relationship with her."
For the remainder of the season, Orr simply wants to see how far she can throw has she finishes out the final month of her high school career before moving on to the United States Military Academy. Russell has a more specific goal in mind.
"I'd like to hit 140 in the discus, that's my big goal."
