2023 Moments Of The Year
To finish off 2023, we're going to count down the MileSplit TN Top 10 Moments of the Year. "Moments" will be a loose term this year as some will be collective performances from the entirety of a season or the entirety of a career. Nevertheless, you'll see thoughout that 2023 was filled with incredible drama, can't miss races, and record breaking performances. Check Back in between now and January for everything that made last year unforgetttable. Enjoy.
Undefeated Over Final Two Seasons
The Moments Of The Year Series started in 2021 and the top moment of that year was Mensi Stiff's first record breaking performance when she took down Angie Barker's 37 year old Shot Put record. Ever since, nothing she did ever really surprised anyone. She simply became an unstoppable force in the two throwing disciplines locally, nationally, and finally, internationally.
By the end of her scholastic career, Stiff extended her State Shot Put Record from the 48-11.5 as a sophomore all the way to 52-11 putting her just inside the US Top 20 All-Time with a streak of 26 victories, indoors and out, in a row. As she did every summer, she continued to keep throwing and a month after state, moved her personal best to 53-5 as she tuned up for U20s. After winning the USATF Championships, she would go on the win the Pan American U20 Championships with an even bigger toss of 54-9.5. The video of that throw is on the second slide of the Instagram Post below.
The distance would move her into #4 for the US All-Time.
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58-1 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 56-8.25 | 2014 | Taco Bell Classic1st F | |
| 3 | 54-10.75 | 2003 | ||
| 4 | 54-9.5 | 2023 | ||
| 5 | 54-8.5 | 2013 |
All-Time Shot Put Rankings Continued>>>
Not sure you have to be a track nerd to know some of the names that are ranked ahead of her but for context, Michelle Carter is an Olympic Gold Medalist and Raven Saunders is a Silver Medalist.
Ultimately, while there may not have been a defining moment quite like the one that occurred in 2021, including her in this countdown is a way to recognize her career as a whole. Here is a rundown of some of her accomplishments and accolades:
- Shot Put State Record Holder
- Discus State Record Holder
- 6-Time TSSAA State Champion
- 2x Nike Indoors National Champion - Shot Put
- NSAF Outdoors National Champion - Shot Put
- USATF U20 National Champion - Shot Put
- Pan Am U20 Champion - Shot Put
- 3x Tennessee Gatorade Player Of The Year
Also, she went viral on tiktok with her backboard smashing incident.
She'll continue her career at Ole Miss University and I for one am excited to see her on bigger and bigger stages in the future.
