Rachel Aliotta Taking Giant Steps at Monmouth…All the Way to Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational

Putting the shot.  Now, that’s an interesting phrase and one you don’t often hear.  But, for former National Scouting Report track and field prospect, Rachel Aliotta, putting the shot it is something which has allowed her to secure a college athletic scholarship to one of the top academic institutions on the East Coast.  The Monmouth University freshman is doing it in style, too.

Arriving on the West Long Branch, New Jersey, campus, Rachel’s resume created great expectations.   A 2010 Indoor Nike National All-American in shot put, she didn’t disappoint anyone at Monmouth.   She placed third in her indoor collegiate debut with a 13.01 meter throw at the 2nd Annual MAC Classic and then threw 13.07 meters in the weight throw to earn sixth place in the same event.  And, as the season progressed, Rachel, from Cheshire High (CT) continued to make an impact on the team.  She placed tenth in the weight throw with a distance of 44′ 4″ at Princeton’s New Year’s Invitational while also placing fourth in shot put for the Hawks with a 42′ 9″ throw.  In January, at the Metro Coaches Invitational, she finished fourth in the shot put with a throw of 12.53 meters and then went out at the 2nd Annual Rider Duel Meet and won the shot put with a 41′ 08″ throw along with a sixth in the weight throw with 44′ 7.5.”  Then at the University of Albany Great Dane Classic, Rachel threw for 45′ 9″ in shot put earning second place.

Spring has sprung Rachel to new heights.  She recently set an East Coast Athletic Conference freshman shot put record at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Mass, at the ECAC Championships. Rachel was seeded 20th in a field of 29 competitors going into the meet with a personal best of 45’6″.   In the meet, Rachel put the shot 47’4″ which gave her third place a new personal best.

As a reward for her excellent showings this year, Rachel has been accorded one of the top recognitions for any track and field athlete when she was recently invited to the UCLA Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational this weekend in San Diego, Cal.  Only eight throwers from the East Coast have been invited.  She is a Psychology major and plans to minor in health studies.  Rachel’s NSR scout was Dan Hammond, Area Director for Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.