For the third time in four years, Jamora Alves of St. John’s University has punched a ticket to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in discus. Last month, Alves won her ninth Big East individual title and threw a distance that surpassed a 28-year-old Red Storm program record as well as breaking her own Grenada national record. She earned her trip to the NCAA Championships, which are taking place this week in Eugene, Oregon, at the NCAA East Regional Championship.
“This was my best year in terms of progression and my confidence level,” said Alves. “From the start, I had a goal that I wanted to achieve, and I felt more consistent throughout the season.”
Positive mental health was a huge component for Alves. Her family was also a motivator. She focused on nutrition and increased her training. Assistant coach Lexia Robinson, who works with the throwers, said Alves competing at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships fueled them to see that she had a great senior year. Effective communication was key.
“We’re training student-athletes, not just athletes,” said Robinson. “Having an open space for her to come and say, ‘Coach, this is where I feel uncomfortable,’ whether it was an injury, training, or classroom. Jamora’s a great athlete; she’s self-motivated. Even those times that happen to everybody where she was unmotivated…I told her, ‘Don’t lose focus, the time will come, keep working.’ It played a huge role in this outdoor season.”
Robinson kept telling Alves, “This is your time.” After being hampered by a back injury her sophomore year, Alves has felt her best this spring. A big help has been having people from sports medicine come to practice, so they could understand training and how best to keep Alves healthy.
“When Jamora felt discomfort, they knew the path to take,” said Robinson. “That momentum fueled her motivation. I tell her, ‘This is your time; focus on what you want to do.’”
As her collegiate career progressed, Alves learned to keep her composure in competition. What she wants this week in women’s discus is to achieve a personal best throw and qualify for the last few throws. “Whatever happens after that, happens,” she said.
