Evelyn Bliss, center, during her collegiate signing day when she committed to Bucknell University’s track and field team. Bliss won the javelin national championship Thursday. Submitted photo

Former Union/A-C Valley track and field star Evelyn Bliss can now call herself a national champion.

The Bucknell University rising junior won the United States Women’s Javelin National Championship on Thursday in Eugene, Ore. Bliss’ third-round winning throw covered 189 feet, 6 inches, the second best of her career.

“I feel on top of the world right now,” Bliss said in a Bucknell news release. “I have had the most amazing past two weeks. I am so blessed for all the support and sacrifices that my coach and my parents have made. Two weeks ago, I would not have thought this is where I would be at, but by the Grace of God I am.”

Bliss is a two-time Second Team All-American at the NCAA Track and Field Championships and finished sixth at the U.S. Olympic Trials last year. She also won the U20 national championships twice.

On Sunday, former Knoch graduate and recently named top Butler County male athlete of the last 25 years Jordan Geist finished sixth in the men’s shot put with a throw of 70-0.5. That throw came on his sixth and final attempt. It was just shy of his season best and nearly a meter shy of his personal best set last season.