PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Jessica Oji has been waiting to unloaded a really big shot for a couple months.
The wait ended on Friday when the sophomore throwing sensation from Livingston bombed a 45-5.75 in the girls shot put at the 127th Penn Relays presented by Toyota at Franklin Field.
The 45-5.75 by Oji placed her second overall and first among Americans, and it's No. 3 in state history for a sophomore No. 2 in Essex County history, and No. 20 in the country this season.
Oji, who earned a prestigious Penn Relays gold watch for being the top American, finished just seven inches behind the winner, Britannia Johnson of Camperdown of Jamaica 46-0.75.
Oji, who opened with a throw of 42-0, threw her 45-5.75 on her second attempt, then fouled. In the finals, she had throws of 39-8.75, 43-7, and 42-3.50.
"This was such an awesome experience,'' said Oji, competing at Franklin Field for the first time ever. "Ever since the 47-2.25 I threw indoors (to win the Group 4 state title, I really haven't come close to that. But with the great competition here, I was really motivated, and was able get a big throw off. It felt so good to be able to do it here. This meet is just amazing. The throwing area is like its own stadium, and I got this watch, which I had no idea would happen. It was just a great day!''
