Stephanie Ratcliffe Repeats as Hammer Throw Champion as Georgia Teammates Shine with Top-Four Finishes at NCAA Outdoor Championships

Georgia track and field standout Stephanie Ratcliffe cemented her legacy on Thursday with a second NCAA hammer throw title, powering the Bulldogs through a dominant showing on the second day of the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Ratcliffe, a fifth-year graduate transfer from Harvard and native of Melbourne, Australia, delivered the best performance of her career at just the right moment, launching her fourth throw to a staggering mark of 71.37 meters (234 feet, 2 inches). That throw, which now stands as the national leader for the season, held up as the gold standard, edging out the closest competitor by just over a foot in a tightly contested battle among the nation’s elite throwers.

The NCAA title was Ratcliffe’s second in as many seasons, as she previously captured the hammer throw championship in 2023 while representing Harvard. Her transfer to Georgia has proven to be a seamless fit, both for her development and for the Bulldogs’ competitive hopes. Her win on Thursday was not only a personal triumph but a crucial momentum-builder for a Georgia team that entered the competition with high expectations.

The atmosphere at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon was electric, and Ratcliffe did not disappoint. After a solid start in her first three attempts, her fourth effort soared through the air with unmistakable force and technique, landing beyond the 71-meter mark to the cheers of fans and teammates. The throw wasn’t just her season best—it was the best in the nation all year, a throw that reestablished her as the queen of the collegiate hammer throw scene.

Ratcliffe’s poise, maturity, and international experience were all on display in the moment. Having competed at the international level and in high-pressure collegiate meets before, the Australian native appeared unfazed by the pressure. “This championship means even more this year,” Ratcliffe said following the event. “Coming into a new program, adapting to new coaching, training partners, and systems—being able to find success again is something I’m really proud of. I’m so thankful to my coaches and teammates who made this transition feel seamless.”

Her presence on the Georgia team has clearly been transformative, and she has emerged not only as a consistent performer but also as a leader on a squad packed with talent. That leadership was evident throughout the day, as three of Ratcliffe’s teammates also delivered top-four finishes in their respective events, turning Day Two into a statement-making performance for the Bulldogs.

One of the biggest surprises of the day came from Georgia junior Jasmine Jones, who blazed through the 100-meter hurdles semifinals to secure the top overall qualifying time heading into the final. Her performance was smooth, powerful, and tactically sound, showing that she has both the form and the focus to challenge for the title in the final round. Though not a medal-winning event on Day Two, her run served notice to the field and added to Georgia’s growing sense of momentum.

In the field events, senior jumper Elena Kulichenko made her mark in the high jump, clearing 1.87 meters (6 feet, 1.5 inches) to place third overall. The performance was her best of the outdoor season and a welcome return to form for the veteran Bulldog. Kulichenko has battled through injuries and inconsistency over the past year but found her stride on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Her ability to rise to the moment gave Georgia a valuable point boost and reaffirmed her status as one of the SEC’s elite jumpers.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s throws group continued to dominate with sophomore thrower Mia Anderson placing fourth in the discus. Her top throw of 58.10 meters (190 feet, 7 inches) was a personal best and a sign of her rapid improvement under the guidance of Georgia’s coaching staff. Anderson’s development has been one of the season’s brightest stories, and her ability to hold her own against more experienced competitors bodes well for the program’s future.

Between Ratcliffe’s title and the trio of top-four finishes from Jones, Kulichenko, and Anderson, Georgia made a loud statement about its depth, talent, and national standing. The Bulldogs are well-positioned heading into the remaining days of the NCAA Championships and have emerged as legitimate contenders in both individual and team competitions.

Head coach Petros Kyprianou was effusive in his praise of the group. “What Stephanie did today was elite-level execution,” he said. “She’s a pro in the way she approaches competition, and the example she sets for our team is invaluable. But I’m just as proud of the entire team. To have four top-four finishes in a single day at this level speaks to the hard work and belief in our training and culture.”

Ratcliffe’s transfer to Georgia may have been a significant move for her personally, but it’s clear now that it also changed the trajectory of Georgia’s women’s track and field program. A national title is a massive accomplishment for any athlete, but doing it twice—at two different schools—requires extraordinary talent and determination. Her consistency, composure, and championship pedigree have lifted the program and set the tone for others to follow.

In addition to the immediate accolades, Ratcliffe’s win adds to her already-impressive resume as she prepares to potentially represent Australia on the global stage. With the 2025 World Championships and the 2026 Commonwealth Games on the horizon, her name is likely to remain on international watchlists in the months ahead.

As for her remaining collegiate goals, Ratcliffe remains focused on contributing to Georgia’s team success. “I want to help us finish as high as possible in the team standings,” she said. “Individual titles are special, but doing this together with teammates who’ve put in the same hard work makes it even more rewarding.”

That mindset has permeated throughout the Bulldogs’ roster, and it’s no surprise to see the results on the track and in the field. The harmony between individual brilliance and team chemistry has been the defining feature of Georgia’s rise this season.

The Bulldogs are expected to remain in contention as the Championships continue, with more events where Georgia athletes are seeded highly. Whether it’s in sprints, hurdles, field events, or relays, Georgia has built a balanced and competitive squad capable of racking up points and keeping the pressure on the nation’s perennial powerhouses.

Thursday’s performance at Hayward Field served as a microcosm of Georgia’s broader identity—resilient, talented, and unafraid of the spotlight. Stephanie Ratcliffe’s second national hammer throw title may have been the headline, but the real story is the unity and depth that’s powering this Bulldogs team into the upper echelon of collegiate track and field.

As the weekend approaches and the stakes rise, Georgia’s women have already proven they belong. Whether Ratcliffe’s heroics will be a launching pad for a team title remains to be seen, but the standard has been set. The Bulldogs came to Eugene to win—and on Day Two, they certainly looked the part.