Despite suffering a shoulder injury during last year’s fall training session, Indianapolis senior Monteka Flowers has managed to come back this season stronger, leading the Lady Toppers’ throwing team.

Flowers set a new season-best mark last weekend at the Blue Raider Invitational, winning the women’s weight with a mark of 61-10.50.

She was named Sun Belt Conference women’s Field Athlete of the Week Wednesday for her performance at the meet.

Flowers leads the Sun Belt in shot and is ranked No. 24 in the nation in women’s weight throw.

“Over the past years, she has dealt with a lot of setbacks but she always comes back and has a stronger desire to get and do better than before,” Assistant Coach Craig Morehead said.

Known by her family and friends as “Teka,” Flowers is an Indianapolis native and a graduate of Indianapolis Warren Central High School — which she calls “the” power house of athletes. 

While at Warren Central, she was on the track and field squad under WKU field standout Christopher Price.

This season she’s earned first place in the weight throw in each of WKU’s meets.

Morehead said that Flowers, as one of WKU’s best throwers, has the potential to still accomplish much more.

“She sees every weekend as an opportunity,” he said. “She’s got the opportunity to do something that no female thrower has ever done here at Western and that’s going to the indoor championships.”

Flowers said she’s excited for a career in her major — elementary education.

Being involved in sports has played a major role in her life, she said.

“Being an athlete in general prepares you for life because you always have to be on time for everything,” Flowers said. “It teaches you leadership; it teaches you time management and holds you accountable for your actions.

“Those are all interpersonal skills that I want to implement in my classrooms.”

Over the years, those closest to Flowers have seen her mature and grow tremendously.

“She has always been mature, but you can see how much more mature she’s gotten and putting her life together,” senior thrower Ashley Chervinko said. “It’s been nice to see her accomplishing all the goals she has set for herself.

 “She has definitely changed in her attitude and how she chooses to experience things.”

Flowers will compete this weekend in Lexington at the Rod McCravy Invitational.

 Morehead believes that with Flowers’ positive attitude she can do well in Lexington and future meets ahead.

“She has been mentally preparing herself for each meet,” Morehead said. “I’ll do everything I can to get her there.”