Hayley Crouser, a junior from Gresham Oregon) High School placed seventh overall in the Women’s Javelin competition, which was part of the US Olympic Trials. It was a great deal to expect of someone that young just to qualify for the finals, but young Haley did not rest on her laurels and had a very solid & consistent day of throwing. Crouser, who set the National prep record this spring at the Aloha Relays with a heave of 181-02 gave the home crowd at Hayward much to celebrate as she was always over 160. She began with a throw of 165-07, which placed her in fifth place overall in the event. She then popped a big 177-07 in the second round, which was followed by 160-03.
After threw throws she held sixth position in the event and with seven others from the field of twelve Crouser moved on to the finals, where she promptly threw 173-04. A mark of 167-02 followed and then on her final attempt, she went for an excellent 179-08. It was her second farthest throw ever and she recorded it on her last effort, which says a great deal about her grit. Also of note is that of the top eight competitors Haley was the only one, who did not foul or pass in an attempt. It bodes well for the young athlete, who will still have a busy summer of competition and travel.
Brittany Borman led the way with a toss of 201-09, as she went from third to first in the event on her last throw. Almost as important is the fact that Borman exceeded the Olympic A standard of 201-01. Kara Patterson, who led throughout the competition until Borman ’s final throw placed second with 196-02 but passed on her final two attempts. Rachel Yurkovich, who is an alumnus of the University of Oregon, did not have her best day, as she fouled twice, but she did save her best for last with an effort of 186-06. That throw on her fifth attempt vaulted her from sixth to fourth but it was well under her best of 198-02 from 2011. Yurkovich, however, achieved the “A” standard earlier this spring with a mark of 200-04, so the former Newberg star will head to London. Over all there was much to appreciate in this event, which was not aided by the somewhat cool temperatures and high humidity .