TOWSON, Md. – Watching Michella Obijiaku set throwing records while consistently dominating the shot put and hammer competitions this past outdoor season, one would never guess that the Towson University junior began her track and field career as a sprinter growing up in London.
 
"I never thought I could make it as a thrower so I didn't really think about coming to America (to compete collegiately)," Obijiaku said. "I was nervous and didn't think I would make it. I feared that my trip over here would be a waste of time. It was a big risk to take leaving all my family (in London) but I am glad that I proved myself wrong and happy I made it."
 
Showcasing explosive ability mixed with incredible balance and coordination, Obijiaku has made her mark in her first year as a Tiger by qualifying for the 2019 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships East Preliminary in Jacksonville. She will throw the shot put on Saturday at 5:15 p.m. at Hodges Stadium on the campus of the University of North Florida.
 
All the affable Obijiaku has done this outdoor season was win the shot put and hammer throw at the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championships. That sterling performance eanred her CAA Female Field Athlete of the Meet accolades. Obijiaku set a CAA meet and school record in the shot put with an impressive toss of 16.23 meters (53-3), which has her ranked 22nd entering this weekend's East region. In addition, she won the shot put at the Doc Anderson Invitational, Towson Invitational, Hopkins Loyola Invitational and ECAC championships.
 
Obijiaku also won the hammer throw at the Penn Relays with a personal best effort of 56.57 meters (185-7). During the indoor season, Obijiaku made history by setting a British National Record in the weight throw with an ECAC winning throw of 19.76 meters (64-10).
 
"It seems surreal," said Obijiaku of setting the British National Record. "It's not something I thought I would ever do so it's pretty great. I have surprised myself especially in the shot. I learned a new technique in October and the fact that I am adding to my personal record from last year is amazing.
 
"I know made a lot of jumps this year. In October, I was throwing 13 meters in the shot and 50 in the hammer. Today I am throwing 58 in the hammer and 16 in the shot. That's a massive improvement. I owe everything to my coach (Zac Ball). He's amazing."
 
This will be Obijiaku's second consecutive trip to the NCAA East Region Preliminary Round. 
Competing last year for South Alabama, Obijiaku finished 45th overall in the shot put after a toss of 14.24 meters (46-8.75). She knows the lessons learned from last year will serve her well this week.
 
"Last year I was trying too hard to throw far," said Obijiaku of her experience at NCAA regionals. "I learned that I don't do well when I do that. I am just going to go for it at regionals. I've done the work and I just need to execute. I also have to trust what my coach and I have been working on in the lab. I have surprised myself this year, but I know I can do a lot more."
 
Obijiaku, who came to America in 2016, grew up playing soccer. She has an athletic family as her younger siblings play soccer (brother) and run track (sister). Her mom was a field hockey player who threw the shot put one time. Obijiaku's dad also played soccer. Thanks to technology the exercise major speaks with her family on a regular basis.
 
"I FaceTime my mom every day," Obijiaku said. "My family is amazing and very supportive. I want to get my master's degree in occupational therapy and be an occupational therapist for little kids. It's something I've always wanted to do for a while. I love helping people. I love Towson and I am glad I made Towson my home."