Ashley Fleming once thought a hammer was only used to pound nails.

But after an unlikely recruiting pitch two years ago, Fleming discovered there was more to track and field than just running.

Plucked from the weight room and placed into a throwing circle, Fleming has quickly blossomed into a national-caliber hammer thrower for the Regals.

Last weekend, the Cal Lutheran junior bettered her school record in the event with a throw of 151 feet, 11 inches during a conference dual meet. The first-place toss was an NCAA provisional qualifying mark.

"Never in a million years did I think I would be doing this," Fleming said. "I still catch myself all the time defending throwing as a real sport to people even though I didn't even think it was one a few years ago."

Whether it's athletics, college choices or living situations, Fleming has rarely taken the conventional route.

She never participated in any track and field event before arriving at CLU, and had no inclination to try.

But an assistant track coach approached Fleming in the weight room on campus two years ago and asked if she wanted to throw for the team.

"I think they were desperate for throwers at the time, and he thought I was strong," Fleming said. "They definitely don't recruit like that now. I got lucky."

Although she was skeptical during the first few practices, Fleming found the perfect mentor in Bob MacKay. The respected local throws coach has trained and developed several world-class performers.

The 5-foot-10 Fleming could barely reach 100 feet with the hammer on her first attempts, but made gradual gains each week as she became enamored with the challenge.

She spent hours in the weight room to increase her strength, and refined her technique with workouts sandwiched around school and her part-time job.

"It is quite an accomplishment what she has done," MacKay said. "People say the hammer is one of the most technical events in track and field, and she wasn't a natural at it. There is a lot to be said for hard work, she just works really hard."

Born in Shreveport, La., Fleming thought she would remain in the Bayou State until at least college. But when she returned home from a basketball practice at age 13, her mother said the family needed a fresh start.

She pulled out a map, and asked her daughter to pick a spot on it. Fleming pointed at Denver, and the family packed its bags and headed for the Rocky Mountains.

"After a month my mom said Denver was too expensive, so we moved to Casper, Wyo.," Fleming said. "She said it was the closest best thing."

Living in a state known more for cowboys throwing ropes than athletes throwing weights, Fleming played basketball until her sophomore year at Roosevelt High when she quit the team.

"I thought I was too cool for sports and had that bad attitude thing going on," Fleming said. "I regret that now for sure."

After two years at a junior college, Fleming began her search for a four-year school. She plugged her ideal requirements into a search engine, and the computer spit out Lewis and Clark College in Oregon, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and CLU.

"To a girl from Wyoming, California always sounds appealing," Fleming said. "Plus, I had relatives who lived in Orange County."

Fleming's friends and roommates tease her about her Wyoming connections, especially her taste for country music and the way she talks.

"Wyoming is different than California. It is more like a small town and everything is slowed down," Fleming said. "Here, everyone is so fast-paced and honking and flipping you off in traffic. But I like the beach and the weather is definitely not bad."

Fleming throws all four implements for CLU hammer, discus, shot put and javelin but there is no question which event she prefers most.

"I like the hammer because you have to go a little vertigo and go a little out of control," Fleming said. "You get going really fast, let a big metal ball take over and go with it. You always hope for the best and that you don't hit the cage or anyone else."

A communications major with a minor in psychology, Fleming is scheduled to graduate from CLU in May. But with one year of athletic eligibility remaining, MacKay hopes his throws captain will stick around and continue her record-breaking pursuits.

"She has overcome a lot of adversity, and persevered to get where she is at," MacKay said. "It has been really cool to see, almost like watching a tree grow."