She also was No. 15 in the nation among high school female throwers, according to “Track and Field News,” a track magazine that recently released last spring’s top distances and times.

THS coach Chris Weller said “Track and Field News” is the “Sports Illustrated” of track publications.

“It’s the premier track magazine,” Weller said.

Weller said, to his knowledge, Pistora was the first Tonganoxie athlete to be named in the magazine.

“This is pretty big,” Weller said. “I’d say anybody who makes it in this book has a very good shot of going (NCAA) Division I.”

Pistora said she was surprised to see her name in the publication.

“It was a good accomplishment,” Pistora said. “I was kind of astonished to see it there.”

Pistora’s throw of 145-1 at last year’s Class 4A regional meet put the then-sophomore in the top 15 in the nation.

That throw made Pistora the top thrower heading into the state meet after regionals, but she had to contend with Labette County’s Katelyne Penner. Penner had a throw of 149-even at state, which gave her a gold medal in 4A and No. 9 ranking in the nation. Towanda-Circle’s Kelsey Loop took second place at state, but her overall best throw in the spring was just behind Pistora nationally. Loop’s best throw was 144-11, good for 16th nationally.

Kansas has some of the top throwers in the nation. Along with the top three throwers in Class 4A, Arkansas City’s Laura Hewitt and Sublette’s Shalee Lehning also made the list.

Oregon has six throwers on the list — including the top three. Rachel Yurkovich of Newberg, Ore., had the top throw at 176-5.

Hewitt, who placed third in 5A at state with a 128-7 throw, actually ranks No. 4 nationally. She had a 150-6 throw earlier in the season. Lehning was No. 13 in the nation with a 147-5 throw. That mark gave Lehning a gold medal in 2A.

Pistora also placed fifth in the high jump last season. And, as a freshman, she placed fourth in the javelin.

Pistora also plays volleyball and basketball. She helped the Chieftains to a fourth-place state finish in basketball last March and has played on three straight volleyball substate runner-up teams.

In the summer, Pistora participates on club teams. She also worked on her javelin skills during a one-day track camp during the summer at Bishop Miege High School in Shawnee Mission.

And she plays on an AAU basketball team and works on strength training in the summer.

“Like everybody else does,” Pistora said.

Nation’s best

Tonganoxie’s Ali Pistora ranks No. 15 in the nation in high school girls javelin throwers after the spring track season.

Here are the nation’s top throwers:

1. Kim Williams, Douglasville, Ga., 173-0; 2. Ashley Muffet, 158-3, North Bend, Ore.; 3. Lauren Sexton, Forest Grove, Ore.; 4. Laura Hewitt, Arkansas City; 5. Jenni Schantin, West Linn, Ore.; 6. Bekah Stoltz, Columbia Falls, Mont., 149-7; 7. Marissa Tschida, Missoula, Mont., 149-6; 8. Whitney Harris, Cottage Grove, Ore., 149-4; 9. Katelyne Penner, Labette County, 149-0; 10. Sarah Butler, Sandy, Utah, 148-9; 11. Anna Brooks, Helena, Mont., 148-0; 12. Kacey James, Carlisle, Pa., 147-6; 13. Shalee Lehning, Sublette, 147-5; 14. Chrissi Grizzel, Jefferson, Ore., 146-5; 15. Ali Pistora, Tonganoxie, 145-1; 16. Kelsey Loop, Towanda-Circle, 144-11; 17. Katie Coronado, Ruidoso, N.M., 144-9; 18. (tie) Cassie Merkley, Leavenworth, Wash., and Leigh Petranoff, Cranston, R.I., 144-7; 20. (tie) Brittany Aanstad, Lake Stevens, Wash., and Amy Backel, Northern York, Pa., 144-5.