WINONA, Minn. — For Saint Mary's University's Anna Swanson (Osceola, Wis.), a second straight appearance in the NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championships is quite an accomplishment unto itself.
 
But for the Cardinal junior, there's a bit of unfinished business attached to this year's trip to the national championships in Geneva, Ohio.
 
After all, a year ago — competing in the javelin for the first time on the nation's biggest stage — Swanson came within one throw of being crowned Saint Mary's University track and field's first-ever national champion.
 
And this time around, Swanson is determined to bring home that elusive title.
 
"Last year was great — getting to the national championships and coming so close to winning it all was pretty magical," admitted Swanson, who will compete in the javelin on Thursday, beginning at 2:30 p.m. (CDT). "My goal is always to do the best I can, and that hasn't changed — but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I'm gunning to take that next step, to reach the top of the podium."
 
If Swanson was feeling any national championship jitters prior to last year's maiden NCAA voyage, she certainly didn't show it — uncorking a school-record throw of 46.65 meters.
 
Just how good was that throw?
 
With just Southern Maine's Sophia Slovenski left to throw, Swanson had a strangle-hold on the national title, leading the field by more than three meters. Slovenski, however, saved her best throw for last, delivering a winning throw of 48.21 meters to snatch that coveted national crown away from the Cardinal sophomore.
 
"Last year I came into the national championships as a bit of an underdog," admitted Swanson. "I wasn't seeded in the top 10 and, to be honest, wasn't really expecting much — I wasn't even thinking about making it to the finals — and then, before you know it, I'm sitting in first place."
 
Until that final throw, that is.
 
"It was tough to lose a shot at a national championship that way — on the last throw of the competition — but finishing the year second in the country and an All-American is pretty special.

"When I left (the championships in 2021), I knew if I put the work in, I'd get another shot this year — and I'm definitely going to make the most of it."
 
Swanson left little doubt that she would be making a return trip to SPIRE institute and the national championships, uncorking a throw of 42.99 meters in her very first competition of the year — the NCAA Division I Texas Relays in Austin, Texas, on March 23.
 
That mark stood the test of time and easily locked up Swanson's ticket for this week's event.
 
Not bad for someone who never threw a javelin before the start of last season.

"I toyed with the idea of throwing the javelin during COVID, but never took it seriously until the start of last season," said Swanson, who went from javelin neophyte to All-American in the span of two months. "It just all clicked right from the start."
 
Swanson enters the competition with the ninth-best throw in Division III this season. Ava Nelson of Pacific Lutheran heads to the national championships with the top mark of the year at 45.74 meters, followed by Chrissy Strickland of George Fox (45.04m), Rebecca Simpson of Buena Vista (44.29m), Isabelle Deal of Ursinus (44.15m), and Gettysburg's Holly Gerrora. Erynn Daubenmire of Westminster is sitting in sixth (44.0m), with Avery Decker of Nebraska Wesleyan (43.68m), Calvin's Kamryn Elgersma (43.45m), Swanson (42.99m), and Jillian Weber of Whittier (42.91m) rounding out the nation's top 10.
 
Thanks in part to appearances at the Texas Relays and the Drake Relays — both events dominated by NCAA Division I competitors — Swanson enters her final competition as a Cardinal brimming with confidence.
 
"Texas and Drake were huge meets," said Swanson. "I was competing against some of the best Division I athletes in the country — and I was holding my own. That has really helped my confidence."
 
Swanson admits that closing out her Saint Mary's career as the program's first-ever track and field national champion would be the perfect storybook ending, but it's not the end-all, be-all.
 
Performing at her best is.
 
"Being a national champion would be amazing," Swanson said. "But to be honest, my goal is to beat my mark from last year — to throw farther than my 46-meter throw from last year is my ultimate goal.
 
"Whether or not that mark is going to be enough to win it all, remains to be seen."