ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, February 17 — While the hammer is always front of mind for DeAnna Price, the ’19 world champ in the outdoor event broke through barriers to a World Record in the weight on day 2 of the USATF Indoor Championships.
With an immense 84-6¾ (25.77) throw in round 3, Price surpassed the WR belonging to Gwen Berry and Janeah Stewart by 6¾ (17cm). Bothered or not, Stewart, who reached her best, 79-4¾ (24.20), in frame 1 wound up 6th on the day.
Yet Price had more. Capping a rounds 2–4 stretch where every ball she launched landed past 25m, in round 5, visage casual after she let the 20-pound implement fly, Price lofted one for the first time in event history past 85ft and 26m.
The weight touched down at 85-4½ (26.02), Price walked away, her back to the sector, and then as husband/coach J.C. Lambert broke into a shout and vigorous applause she turned, most pleased to read the distance.
Throwing in a comp that included 6 of the all-time top 11 in the event and produced best-ever-marks-for-place in positions 1–7 if not deeper, Price, 29, had powered her white & blue implement with red strapping out to 81-6¾ (24.86), the longest heave of her career, to take the lead in round 1. She then whirled her way into the record books. Twice.
Her day indicated a full return by Price from the broken ankle she sustained two days before the Olympic Trials in ’21.
Seven months after a total ankle reconstruction and 6 past a complete labrum repair, Price returned to the hammer ring on March 26 of last year. WC wildcard in pocket, she placed 4th at the USATF Champs last summer but was unable to compete at the Worlds.
After the rebuild of her ankle in August of ’21 Price said the medics told her, “’You’ve got a year until you’ll start feeling better.’”
Last August marked that year and Price turned the corner on schedule. Lambert, who gifted her that red-white-and-blue weight on Valentine’s Day, told her, “You got this.”
She commenced pushing it in training and, “This past week I threw a massive PR with my 25lb [practice weight].” She knew she was ready.
“I’m going to take this as a little celebratory win and some incitement,” Price said. “Now it’s take that mentality to the hammer throw and get ready for the World Championships in Budapest.”
The men’s weight produced fireworks as well, Daniel Haugh’s year-leading 83-5¾ (25.44) moving him to No. 4 on the all-time world list.
The women’s jumps were also notable, with Tara Davis Woodhall spanning a world-leading 22-11¼ (6.99) and Vashti Cunningham matching her indoor best of 6-6¾ (2.00).
USATF INDOOR CHAMPS DAY 2 FINALS
Men’s Events
3000: 1. Sam Prakel (adi) 8:12.46 (25.75, 54.49, 1:55.51); 2. Eduardo Herrera (UA) 8:13.11 (26.02, 54.99, 1:55.74); 3. Olin Hacker (HokaNAzE) 8:14.33 (27.03, 56.30, 1:57.58);
4. Daniel Schaffer (Zap) 8:14.39; 5. David Ribich (NikeUAC) 8:14.47; 6. Jack Yearian (OTC) 8:15.54; 7. Isaac Updike (EmpE) 8:15.68; 8. Austen Dalquist 8:18.45; 9. John Reniewicki (UA) 8:20.70; 10. Nick Randazzo (unat) 8:23.52; 11. Christian Noble (NBal) 8:26.75; 12. Allen Sumrall (RailrA) 8:40.10; 13. Victor Palumbo (CParkTC) 8:43.00.
TJ: 1. Donald Scott (adi) 55-7¾ (16.96) (AL) (53-11, 55-3½ AL, 54-4, 54-9½, 55-7¾, 54-2¾) (16.43, 16.85, 16.56, 16.70, 16.96, 16.53);
2. Omar Craddock (Asics) 53-9 (16.38); 3. R’Lazon Brumfield (unat) 52-11½ (16.14); 4. Jalen Seals (unat) 52-2 (15.90); 5. Qwazon Alkhaliq (unat) 50-6¼ (15.40); 6. Albert MacArthur (unat) 48-5¼ (14.76); 7. Rex Parker (GatePAC) 47-11¾ (14.62); 8. Niejel Wilkins (AppSt) 47-5¼ (14.46).
Wt: 1. Daniel Haugh (NYAC) 83-5¾ (25.44) PR (WL, AL) (4, 6 W; 3, 4 A) (78-1¾, 82-8½ [WL, AL—5, x W]; 4, 8 A, 83-5¾, 80-11, 79-10¾, 79-6¾) (23.82, 25.21, 25.44, 24.66, 24.35, 24.25);
2. Alex Young (unat) 79-6¾ (24.25); 3. Rudy Winkler (TracksmNYAC) 78-4¼ (23.88); 4. Tanner Berg (unat) 77-10¾ (23.74); 5. Isaiah Rogers (KennSt) 77-1¾ (23.51); 6. Taige Bryant (unat) 76-5½ (23.30) =PR; 7. Sean Donnelly (adi) 75-11 (23.14); 8. Morgan Shigo (Vel) 73-2 (22.30); 9. Trevor Otterdahl (NDSt) 72-7¼ (22.13); 10. Dominique Williams (unat) 69-1¼ (21.06); 11. Michael Pinckney (UCLA) 67-7½ (20.61);… 3f—Erich Sullins (unat).
Hept: 1. Steven Bastien (Tracksm) 6012 (6.94, 24-9¼/7.55, 43-4¼/13.21 6-9/2.06, 8.32, 16-2¾/4.95, 2:44.50);
2. Will Daniels (unat) 5946 (6.83, 24-3½/7.40, 45-4¼/13.82 6-9/2.06, 7.98, 15-3/4.65, 2:53.93);
3. Devon Williams (JacksonvAC) 5898 (7.00, 24-4¼/7.42, 46-¾/14.04 6-3¼/1.91, 7.89, 15-7/4.75, 2:46.47);
4. Connor Mclean (WillamStr) 5542; 5. Erick Duffy (LuxVir) 5538 PR; 6. Kyle Martin (JacksonvAC) 4732; 7. Jackson Walker (Velaasa) 4136;… dnf—Samuel Black (GarS), Jonathan Ply (JacksonvAC).
Women’s Events
3000: 1. Val Constien 8:48.29 (unat) (30.32, 62.56, 2:10.35); 2. Whittni Morgan (adi) 8:48.42 (30.63, 62.94, 2:10.73); 3. Emily Mackay (NBal) 8:50.14; 4. Elena Henes 8:58.40; 5. Abby Nichols (HokaNAzE) 9:02.57; 6. Courtney Wayment (On) 9:04.02; 7. Hannah Steelman (On) 9:10.10; 8. Gabrielle Jennings (adidas) 9:14.54; 9. Jenn Randall (Tracksm) 9:22.39; 10. Katie Camarena (unat) 9:28.56; 11. Abby Kohut-Jackson (unat) 9:30.29; 12. Katherine Wasserman (HokaNAzE) 9:38.52.
HJ: 1. Vashti Cunningham (NikeRB) 6-6¾ (2.00) =PR (AL) (=3, =3 A) (6-½, 6-1½, 6-2¾, 6-4¾, 6-6¾ [2], 6-8 [xxx]) (1.84, 1.87, 1.90, 1.95, 2.00 [2], 2.03 [xxx]);
2. Nissi Kabongo (SFA) 6-1½ (1.87) PR; 3. Mercedeez Francis (unat) 6-1½ PR; 4. Elizabeth Evans (unat) 6-½ (1.84); 5. JaiCieonna Gero-Holt (WaTFA) 6-½ PR (HSL) (=8, x HS); 6. Arika Harbo (ConcSP) 5-10½ (1.79); 7. Zarriea Willis (NvGaz) 5-8½ (1.74);… nh—Melanie Winters (unat).
LJ: 1. Tara Davis Woodhall (Lulu) 22-11¼ (6.99) PR (WL, AL) (=4, =9 A) (f, 22-9¼ PR [WL, AL—6, x A], 21-10¾, f, 22-11¼, f) (f, 6.94, 6.67, f, 6.99, f);
2. Rhesa Foster (Nik) 21-9 (6.63) PR; 3. Tiffany Flynn (unat) 21-6¾ (6.57); 4. Quanesha Burks (unat) 21-2½ (6.46); 5. Shakeela Saunders (adi) 20-10¾ (6.37); 6. Elizabeth White (NM) 20-8½ (6.31) PR; 7. Melanie Winters (unat) 20-8 (6.30) PR; 8. Monae’ Nichols (Puma) 20-6½ (6.26); 9. Kendell Williams (Nik) 19-11¾ (6.09); 10. Courtney Lines (NCWilm) 19-3½ (5.88); 11. Hannah Meek (unat) 18-11¼ (5.77).
Wt: 1. Deanna Price (Nike/NYAC) 85-4½ (26.02) WR, AR (old records 84-6¾/25.77 Price in series) (81-6¾ PR [9, x W; 8, x A], 83-6½ PR [5, 5 W, A], 84-6¾ WR, AR [old records 84-0/25.60 Gwen Berry [NYAC] ’17 & Janeah Stewart {NYAC} ’23], 82-8½, 85-4½, f) (24.86, 25.46, 25.77, 25.21, 26.02, f);
2. Brooke Andersen (NikeNYAC) 81-11¼ (24.97) (77-2¾, 78-2¼, f, f, 81-½, 81-11¼) (23.54, 23.83, f, f, 24.70, 24.97);
3. Rachel Tanczos (Vel) 80-7¾ (24.58) PR; 4. Annette Echikunwoke (unat) 80-7 (24.56); 5. Erin Reese (Vel) 79-10¼ (24.34); 6. Janeah Stewart (NYAC) 79-4¾ (24.20); 7. Janee’ Kassanavoid (Nik) 77-4 (23.57); 8. Elisia Lancaster (Shore) 72-7¾ (22.14); 9. Alyssa Wilson (unat) 72-3½ (22.03); 10. Maggie Ewen (Nik) 68-8¾ (20.95); 11. Lizzie Virgl (unat) 63-3½ (19.29);… 3f—Lily Lockhart (unat).
(best-ever mark-for-place: 1–7)
