At the 2024 Graduate Classic indoor meet, Nebraska’s senior shot putter surprised even herself! The women’s shot put competition at the meet brought excitement rarely seen in early-season college events. With powerhouse programs like Oregon, Nebraska, and Minnesota sharing the track with smaller schools, all eyes were on the shot put circle, where the 24-year-old Huskers athlete, Axelina Johansson, emerged as the champion.

Axelina Johansson, a Swedish national team member and 2023 Nebraska national champion, set the stage for her victory with a throw of an impressive 58 feet, 10 inches—more than two feet ahead of Oregon’s Jaida Ross, who placed second. What is more, the runner-up has an Olympic pedigree. The win wasn’t just about the distance. Rather, it was more about the timing, the nerves, and the crowd. Johansson’s early performance had a palpable impact on the competition, taking the lead with her first throw, a demonstration of pure adrenaline.

Ross hovered close behind as the competition progressed, but Johansson’s lead held firm. “She’s such a good athlete,” Johansson said of Ross. “She placed fourth at the Olympics. She’s capable of throwing really, really far. She’s someone I look up to. So beating her, I was kind of surprised, to be honest.” To outlast an athlete of Ross’s caliber and deliver a near-perfect performance with the amount of pressure on her was no small feat.

But Johansson’s focus wasn’t just on winning. It was more about learning and pushing herself. “I feel like with the first throw you just have so much adrenaline and you don’t really think of the technique,” she admitted. The shotputter continued, “And then you kind of start thinking, and it goes downhill.” She delivered her best early, knowing adrenaline was working for her.

The win exemplified Axelina Johansson’s growth as a competitor. Despite sharing the circle with Olympians, she kept her composure. In the months leading up to this event, Johansson earned her stripes in NCAA and global competitions, competing in places like Eugene and Munich. But the Graduate Classic marked her first big battle in 2025, and she handled it like a pro.

With more high-profile meetings coming up for Axelina Johansson, the Nebraska Huskers’ star is giving it her all to take on more challenges than ever. Moreover, Johansson herself has the potential and poise to compete at the Olympics. The Nebraska Huskers’ star herself secured a ticket to Paris to compete in the Summer Olympics last year. In quintessential Johansson style, she secured a place among the finalists at the Olympic games. To add to her never-ending list of accomplishments, Axelina has also secured other victorious feats for her college.

Axelina Johansson’s historical NCAA win for Nebraska

Just a year before the Paris Olympics, in June 2023, Axelina Johansson made history at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships. She became the first Nebraska shot putter to claim a national title in nearly two long decades! With a remarkable throw of 63 feet, 3 1/4 inches, Johansson dominated the competition, with all six of her throws surpassing the 62-foot mark. No one else in the field even reached 61 feet, underscoring her sheer dominance in the event. 

Her victory marked a significant milestone for Nebraska. And Johansson, alongside javelin thrower Rhema Otabor, became one of the first Husker women to win NCAA titles since Dace Ruskule (discus thrower) in 2006. Johansson’s performance on the national stage has solidified her status as one of the top competitors in the country.

Her victory is a personal triumph. But it also adds to Nebraska’s strong showing at the championships. And with this, the team has earned a top spot in the standings. Johansson’s title is a testament to her determination and the program’s resurgence on the national scene.