TUCSON – A world-leading mark in the women’s hammer and a series of other impressive efforts in four throwing events kicked off the pre-Olympic season Saturday at the USATF Throws Festival at the University of Arizona’s Drachman Stadium.
2022 world champion Brooke Anderson fouled out on her first attempt in the women’s hammer and then threw a world record 78.16/256-5 in the second round to jump into the lead by 15 feet. Andersen made two more attempts beyond the 77m mark and then closed the day with his best performance of the year, turning an impressive 79.92/262-2 for the fourth furthest throw in US history. Almost 6 meters behind, in second place, was China’s Zhao Jie, who had a best of 74.10/243-1, with Annette Echikun woke up taking third place in 73.80/242-1. Rachel Tanczos came close to his PB, throwing 73.53/241-3 on his second attempt.
Fresh from two wins and a big PB at the Drake Relays last week, Payton Otterdahl put together another great run to win the men’s shot put, bested 22.41/73-6.25 on his last throw. Otterdahl made four throws from beyond 22m and beat Rajindra Campbell, from Jamaica, and Uziel Munoz, from Mexico, by more than half a meter. Graduated from Arizona Jordan Geist came fourth with 21.23/69-8.
US leader Daniel Haugh he almost equaled his 2024 best in the first round of the men’s hammer with a 79.01/259-2 and after three faults he made two throws from the same distance – 78.81/258-6 – to easily beat Denzel Comentia of the Netherlands. American record holder Rudy Winkler he came third with 76.89/252-3.
Achieving the third best distance of his career in the men’s discus José Brown took the lead with a 64.57/211-10 in the first round, which he maintained in the first three attempts. As the field was whittled down to eight, the improvements began to lag behind Brown. Despite the best grades Reggie Jagers, Turner Washington, Brian Williams It is Dallin Shutters, no one could overtake Brown and he came away with the victory. Jagers was second at 64.25/210-9 in the fourth round, while Washington was an inch ahead of Williams at 63.90/209-7 and Shurts was at 63.65/208-10. Fedrick Dacres of Jamaica placed third with a best of 64.07/210-2 in the second stanza.
Gabi Jacobs recovered from a difficult start in the women’s discus to take the lead on her second attempt with a throw of 59.43m/194-11. His best move of the day, however, came in the fifth round. A light wind picked up as Jacobs entered the ring for his fifth pitch of the day. She knew it was big before she hit the ground in 61.80/202-9 – the only throw of the day to go over 60m. Nigerian Chioma Onyekwere came second with her fifth round 59.31m/194-7 and Elena Bruckner came third with a throw of 59.26m/194-5.
Former American record holder Maggie Malone-Hardin has never really been challenged in the women’s javelin throw. Her opening effort of 55.59/182-4 put her at the top of the standings, and she improved greatly in the second round with a 60.17/197-5 that gave her victory by almost five feet over France’s Alizee Minard . Madison Wiltrout he placed third with 57.78/189-6, the third furthest throw of his career. Four men, including two Americans, surpassed 80m in the javelin throw and Australian Cameron McEntyre emerged victorious with a best of 81.56/267-7 on his penultimate throw. Marc Anthony Minichello took third place with 81.19/266-4, and Donavon Banks had his second best shot ever with 80.82/265-2 for fourth place.
Jamaica’s 2019 World Championships silver medalist Danniel Thomas-Dodd won the women’s shot on her first attempt, achieving an 18.87/61-11 that has never been bettered. Adelaide Aquillabronze medalist at last year’s Pan American Games, had two throws good enough for runner-up, including a best of 18.47/60-7.25, and 2021 Olympic Trials champion Jessica Ramsey was third with her best shot since 2022, 18.34/60-2 in the first round.
In men’s pole vault, bronze medalist at the Pan American Games Clayton Frisch equaled his personal best of 5.82m/19-1 to take a decisive victory and a new facility record. Lucas Winder challenged Fritsch with a single attempt at the height after two misses at 5.72m/18-9.25, but was unable to go over the bar, finishing the competition at 5.62m/18-5.25. Zachery Bradford he was third with 5.52m/18-1.25. India’s Tejaswin Shankar was the high jump champion based on the fewest errors at the winning height of 2.23/7-3.75, with Earnie Sears second.
Rachel Baxter was the only jumper when the bar reached 4.50/14-9 and she cleared that height on her third attempt to secure victory over Emily Grove, who cleared 4.30/14-1.25 for second. Baxter made three unsuccessful attempts at 4.63/15-2.25. Six-time national outdoor champion in the women’s high jump, Vasti Cunninghamhe won the title in his fourth jump of the day, winning with a best of 1.90/6-2.75. Zariea Willis came second with 1.87/6-1.5.
A full list of results can be found here.
