ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. -- As sophomore Isabella Cowger gets set to compete in the 2026 NCAA Div. III Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the Elizabethtown College women's track & field team, she took time for a Q&A session on a few different topics.

Cowger is the first-ever discus qualifier, male or female, in Elizabethtown track & field history. The Blue Jays have had numerous javelin qualifiers, including national runner-up Cameron Aregood '12. This is the fifth straight outdoor national meet that Etown has been represented.

IC = Isabella Cowger

Q: What were some things you've worked on between last year and this year (specifically for discus)?
IC: Between last year and this year, I worked on two things specifically, getting stronger and having a better flight on the discus. I had a really solid base mechanics wise for discus last year, so a big goal of mine was to just get stronger. Over the summer, my main focus was lifting in the weight room. Apart from lifting I would practice a few days a week just focusing on the flight of the discus, which mainly came down to the position I was in when releasing the discus. Overall, I believe my hard work towards these goals has really paid off and is reflected by my performance this season.
 
Q: How did it feel when you first saw or heard you had officially qualified?
IC: It felt amazing when I first saw that I had officially qualified for nationals, going into the season that was a big goal for me. Starting off the season, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it, but I knew I had put the work in and had to trust that I could do it. So finally knowing for sure that I had made it was such an incredible feeling.
 
 Q: How are you feeling going into this meet and is it any different for you than a meet during the season? How do you mentally prepare before throwing?
IC: Going into the meet, I'm definitely feeling nervous and a little worried I won't do as well as I hope to. I'm usually not this nervous going into most meets, but I really want to do well, and I know that I need to be performing at my best in order to do that. To mentally prepare before throwing, I usually think of all the possible outcomes, knowing that anything can happen. It's important to be aware that it might not always go the way I want it to. However, I also tell myself that I know what I'm doing, that it's something I've done many times and it's nothing new. At the end of the day, I just have to try my best and not give up and trust that it will work out.
 
Q: What are your goals for nationals?
IC: My goal for nationals is to enjoy the experience and have fun. I would love to have a good series of throws and maybe even place, but the most important thing is to simply enjoy it.

Cowger's discus competition, prelims and finals, are scheduled for Thursday, May 21, at 5:30 p.m. EDT. Full coverage, including live results and video links are available at etownbluejays.com.