GORHAM, Maine –  Becoming just the second individual female national champion last spring at the 2022 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship, University of Southern Maine senior Sophia Slovenski (Cape Neddick, Maine/Phillips Academy) has written her name in the Husky record books.
 
Earning a spot atop the podium in Greensboro, N.C. as the top Division III collegiate student-athlete in the javelin, Slovenski became the women's track & field program's first outdoor national champion, and is just the second USM female track & field athlete to earn a national title, joining former USM standout Peyton Dostie '16 on that short list. 
 
Slovenski will be honored for her momentous achievement by the University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics during a ring ceremony prior to the start of the USM Husky Invitational on Saturday, January 29 (12:00 pm). 
 
"Sophia's tremendous achievement is rare, and deserves celebration," noted Director of Athletics Al Bean.  "If you've had the opportunity to work with or get to know Sophia, you are acutely aware that she embodies the best attributes of a Division III student-athlete and for someone of her character to reach the pinnacle of her sport is distinctive and noteworthy.  I hope our Husky fans, and fans of the sport in general will join us in celebrating Sophia and her accomplishments."
 
Slovenski earned the title in dramatic fashion as well, establishing a new school record in the discipline along the way. Sitting in second place as the final round of throws began, Slovenski was bumped to third when Johns Hopkins University senior Veronica Montane posted her best mark of the competition with a throw of 44.31 meters (145-4).  Freshman Anna Swanson of Saint Mary's was the leader at 46.65 meters (153-1).
 
With the stage set, Slovenski needed a career best throw, to regain her spot. And in her final throw of the competition she delivered, breaking her own school record with a toss of 48.21 meters (158-2 feet).  Earning her third All-American citation along the way, Slovenski has cemented herself as one of the best to wear a Husky track & field uniform. 
 
"It is great that we get to celebrate and honor Sophia in front of teammates, friends and family for such a remarkable achievement," said Southern Maine women's track & field head coach Rob Whitten.  "She was already a special student-athlete, but fought through adversity last year and capped it off with a magical performance at the most important meet of the year.  Very few can call themselves a National Champion, a title she will have for the rest of her life.  I cannot wait to see what's still to come for her."
 

 In addition to her athletic achievements, Slovenski has achieved national honors for her academic pursuits, earning 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-American Division III First Team honors. With her name attached to the prestigious academic accolade, Slovenski is the eleventh Southern Maine student-athlete since 2000 to earn Academic All-American honors. She is the second member of the Huskies' women's cross country and track & field programs to earn the honor, joining 2012 recipient Molly Carl.
 
A member of the Huskies' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Huskies' Student-Athlete Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Committee (SADIE), Slovenski is actively involved in volunteerism mentoring young girls in the field of athletics. She is presently fundraising to bring a chapter of Strong Girls U to the University of Southern Maine. Slovenski is a Health Sciences major.