It was March 28, at the Joyce Morton-Kief Invite at Illinois State University.

Junior thrower Riley Ward sprinted down the 100-foot-long runway, reared back and launched the seven-foot javelin spear into the chilly Illinois sky. The spear split the air and then finally pierced the ground after it fell from its apex, which left Ward with one option. 

Wait to see if she made history. 

A few seconds later, the field judge reported a final distance of 42.68m. 

It was a new Marquette record. Ward just passed her teammate junior thrower Tessa Hollander for the best women’s javelin throw in Marquette history. 

However, the record wouldn’t last very long. 

The very next meet one week later, Hollander took back control of the top spot at the Marquette Invite, heaving a throw of 43.74m.

But yet again, Hollander couldn’t celebrate for very long. 

One week later at the next meet, Ward broke the record once again at the Georgia Tech Invite, with a throw of 45.22m, the third consecutive meet where it switched hands. 

“My favorite is the first time breaking it,” Hollander said. “Now every time we PR it’s now the record.”

While both Hollander and Ward want to be the Marquette record holder, that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to cheer each other on. Their competitiveness only adds to their friendship. 

“We both want the school record, and we both want to win,” Ward said. “We are the loudest people cheering for each other.” 

Ward calls it friendly competition. But their competitive spirits aren’t just limited to the field. They are also training partners while lifting.

“I want (Tessa) to PR, I want her to get better,” Ward said. “Even lifting, there’s always friendly competition.” 

Ward and Hollander became not only friends, but also roommates, before they were even on the track team. When searching for roommates before their first year at Marquette, they both noticed they threw javelin in high school, which they instantly bonded over. 

“We both knew we threw javelin in high school,” Hollander said. “We were both like ‘Oh, that’s cool.’” 

During the summer they both found out that they had made the team but didn’t tell the other right away. It wasn’t until associate head coach Mike Koenning called them individually that they realized they wouldn’t only be roommates but also teammates. 

“It was so random,” Ward said. “It was a mere coincidence.” 

It didn’t take long for them to connect. Beyond having the javelin in common, they also grew up over 1,800 miles away from the school whose history books have their name. Hollander from Washington and Ward from Arizona, being so far away from home was something both could relate to.

“It’s something we bonded over very quickly,” Ward said. “We can’t go home every weekend, some holidays we’re still hanging out together.” 

While them being roommates was a coincidence, what isn’t is the amount of trial and error it takes to become a record holder in an event that requires such precise mechanics.

“Even from speed to strength that we do in lifts, and just the technical stuff,” Ward said. “You can have a great full run-up and then at that last throw, you move your shoulder the wrong direction, you just ruined the whole throw.” 

Watching film during and after the meet has been a huge part in helping them notice the minute details they messed up throughout the throw. 

“I really like watching the videos right after I throw,” Hollander said. “I can recognize what I messed up.” 

Ward finds them just as important to her success. 

“I rely on the videos so much,” Ward said. “In my head I thought it was great, then I’ll watch it and see I didn’t do this one thing.” 

Despite their record-setting performances, Hollander and Ward have different approaches when it comes to the mechanically heavy event. 

Hollander relies on her height, which allows her to hold her arm further back and for a longer amount of time when throwing. 

“Being able to hold my arm back for a really long time is the best for Javelin,” Hollander said. “When I can really use that skill of mine is when I’m going to have a good throw.” 

While Ward relies more on her speed on the runway, which allows for her to get more power behind her throws. 

“I rely on my legs, I’m a little faster on the runway,” Ward said. “To try and have more power going in.” 

But the competition for the record is nowhere near as important to Hollander and Ward as making sure that each other is at their best. 

“Being able to give each other advice at practice,” Hollander said. “We are so in tune with each other’s personalities, that it helps a lot.” 

The competitive advantage both Hollander and Ward give each other just means the record is about to switch hands again sometime soon. 

This article was written by Lukas Schulze. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @LukasschulzeMU.