AUSTIN -- While laboring through the waves of bureaucracy to come to the United States from Sweden during the pandemic, Axelina Johansson never allowed the frustrations to dampen her dream of becoming a champion athlete.

After finishing third a year and second indoors, the Nebraska junior finally realized her dream of reaching the top of the podium, winning the women's shot put title with a facility-record throw of 19.28m/63-3.25 at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

Johansson, whose mark broke the stadium record of 18.96m/62-2.5 set in 2013 by Tia Brooks or Oklahoma, is the 23rd NCAA women's champion in Nebraska history.

"I've been working for this really hard. At Indoors," Johansson said, "I finished second, so today was very special. It felt awesome. I had a great series, very consistent." 

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Absolute domination.

Axelina Johansson 🇸🇪 is the NCAA shot put NATIONAL CHAMPION! All 6 of her throws would have won the 🥇

Her final winning mark is 63-3 1/4 (19.28m)!#GBR pic.twitter.com/dscCULWl77

— Nebraska Track and Field (@NUTrackandField) June 9, 2023

Johansson came to the United States largely to spread her wings in learning a new language and culture, but also to push herself as a thrower. She got her start in track and field when she was seven, competing in the multi events until chronic knee problems forced her to quit running at age 13. She continued throwing the shot put, discus and hammer for her club in Stockholm.

She traded Instagram messages with throws coach Justin St. Clair, who was at North Dakota State at the time. When St. Clair informed Johansson that he was taking the job at Nebraska, she took a leap of faith and followed him.

That faith paid off last night in a competition that Johansson controlled from the start, Her opening throw of 18.93m/62-1.25 would have been good enough to win the title. She improved to 19.08m/62-7.25 in the second round and then again on her final throw.

""I think it's the best series of my life," Johansson said. "I was very, very consistent. Almost everything was 19 meters. I think I had a great throw in me. I didn't really get it today, but it will come, I have a long summer."

Jorinde Van Klinken of Oregon finished second with a final-round throw of 18.48m/60-7.75. Rosa Santana of UNLV took third at 18.37m/60-3.25.