TUCSON, ARIZONA, May 21 — With just over a month to go before the WC Trials in Eugene, a trio of veterans put themselves in position to grab spots on Team USA with strong performances at the USATF Throws Festival.
Tokyo Olympian Sam Mattis uncorked a throw of 221-7 (67.54) in the second round to erase his lifetime best of 221-3 (67.45) set 6 years ago while still at Penn.
Unlike his previous PR, it lasted all of one round, as he spun the platter 225-4 (68.69), making it the fourth-farthest throw in the world this season and lifting him to No. 16 on the all-time U.S. list.
Rio Olympian Andrew Evans, who has returned to competition this year after a 4-year layoff, reached a PR 218-11 (66.74) in the fourth round to finish 2nd.
Janee’ Kassanavoid moved to No. 5 on the world all-time list with her mark of 255-11 (78.00) to win the hammer over Drachman Stadium recordholder Brooke Andersen. Kassanavoid also climbed to No. 3 on the U.S. all-time list behind DeAnna Price and Andersen.
Kassanavoid, who started the competition eighth in the throwing order, put the pressure on the field with a first-round mark of 245-8 (74.88) then threw 255-11 (78.00) in the third.
Andersen, who threw 259-3 (79.02) in this ring on April 30, responded with a throw of 255-1 (77.75), then fouled her last three throws.
Kara Winger, who is expected to retire at the end of this season at age 36, showed that she’s still got something left in the tank, winning the javelin with an American-leading 209-2 (63.75), in round 6. Winger went to the lead from the start with a throw of 196-6 (59.89), and never relinquished it.
The men’s spear was highlighted by the return to form of 32-year-old Tim Glover, whose 271-8 (82.81) marked his farthest throw since ’15.
USATF THROWS MEN’S RESULTS
PV: 1. Chris Nilsen (US) 19-¼ (5.80) (missed 19-4¼/5.90); 2. Luke Winder (US) 18-8¼ (5.70) PR; 3. Nate Richartz (US) 18-8¼ =PR; 4. Tray Oates (US) 18-8¼ =PR; 5. Jacob Wooten (US) 18-4½ (5.60)).
LJ: 1. Marquis Dendy (US) 26-7w (8.10) (26-4½/8.04).
SP: 1. Tom Walsh (NZ) 70-10½ (21.60); 2. Jordan Geist (US) 69-4¼ (21.14); 3. Darrell Hill (US) 68-10 (20.98); 4. Roger Steen (US) 68-7¾ (20.92) PR; 5. Chuk Enekwechi (Ngr) 68-1½ (20.76); 6. Payton Otterdahl (US) 66-5¾ (20.26).
DT: 1. Sam Mattis (US) 225-4 (68.69) PR (AL) (16, x A) (217-2, 221-7 PR, 225-4 PR, 213-5, 218-8, 218-6) (66.19, 67.54, 68.69, 65.06, 66.67, 66.60);
2. Andrew Evans (US) 218-11 (66.74) PR; 3. Ralford Mullings (Jam) 209-2 (63.75); 4. Josh Syrotchen (US) 207-0 (63.10); 5. Legend Boyesen-Hayes (US) 201-10 (61.52); 6. Brian Williams (US) 201-8 (61.46); 7. Joseph Brown (US) 200-10 (61.22); 8. Kord Ferguson (US) 200-5 (61.08).
HT: 1. Rudy Winkler (US) 257-7 (78.51); 2. Diego Del Real (Mex) 256-9 (78.26); 3. Daniel Haugh (US) 255-8 (77.94); 4. Sean Donnelly (US) 254-3 (77.50); 5. Alex Young (US) 245-7 (74.85).
JT: 1. Tim Glover (US) 271-8 (82.81); 2. Curtis Thompson (US) 266-6 (81.22); 3. David Carreon (Mex) 258-11 (78.92); 4. Donavon Banks (US) 256-4 (78.14) PR; 5. Carlos Armenta (Mex) 253-6 (77.28); 6. Ethan Shalaway (US) 251-5 (76.64); 7. Michael Shuey (US) 246-10 (75.25).
USATF THROWS WOMEN’S RESULTS
PV: 1. Olivia Gruver (US) 14-11 (4.55); 2. Kortney Oates (US) 14-1¼ (4.30).
LJ: 1. Ese Brume (Ngr) 22-¾ (6.72); 2. Aliyah Whisby (US) 21-½ (6.41); 3. Kate Hall (US) 20-11¼w (6.38).
SP: 1. Danniel Thomas-Dodd (Jam) 64-1 (19.53); 2. Sarah Mitton (Can) 63-10½ (19.47); 3. Jessica Ramsey (US) 63-7 (19.38); 4. Jessica Woodard (US) 60-10 (18.54); 5. Maggie Ewen (US) 60-8½ (18.50);… 9. Raven Saunders (US) 54-2¾ (16.53).
DT: 1. Veronica Fraley (US) 204-5 (62.30) PR; 2. Chioma Onyekwere (Ngr) 199-10 (60.90); 3. Rachel Dincoff (US) 194-1 (59.16); 4. Trinity Tutti (Can) 190-0 (57.91); 5. Grayce French (US) 187-0 (57.01) PR; 6. Sarah Thornton (US) 182-3 (55.56).
HT: 1. Janee’ Kassanavoid (US) 255-11 (78.00) PR (5, x W; 3, 10 A) (245-8, 253-2, 255-11, f, 246-1, f) (74.88, 77.17, 78.00, f, 75.01, f);
2. Brooke Andersen (US) 255-1 (77.75); 3. Lauren Bruce (NZ) 239-8 (73.07); 4. Annette Echikunwoke (Ngr) 238-3 (72.62); 5. Stamatía Skarvélis (Gre) 234-4 (71.43) PR;
6. Gwen Berry (US) 232-10 (70.98); 7. Janeah Stewart (US) 232-0 (70.73).
JT: 1. Kara Winger (US) 209-2 (63.75) (AL) (196-6, 193-11, 191-0, 190-3, 200-4, 209-2) (59.89, 59.12, 58.23, 57.98, 61.07, 63.75);
2. Avione Allgood-Whetstone (US) 193-3 (58.90); 3. Ariana Ince (US) 192-3 (58.60); 4. Liz Gleadle (Can) 190-8 (58.12);
5. Alizee Minard (Fra) 186-3 (56.77); 6. Vanja Spaić (Bos) 179-10 (54.82); 7. Rebekah Wales (US) 170-0 (51.83). ◻︎