LET IT BE SAID, America’s women hammer throwers rule the Earth.
Andersen, Price, Kassanavoid, Ewen, Echikunwoke, household names in Hammerworld. Even Thor would have to agree. After this year’s Nationals add another, Jillian Shippee, the North Carolina grad who grabbed the coveted fourth spot on the team.
On a warm, sunny afternoon at the hammer ring adjacent to the stadium, Janee’ Kassanavoid, the 28-year-old WC bronze medalist, took the early lead at 234-5 (71.47). Then the fireworks began.
Shippee, a 24-year-old New Yorker who began the season with a best of 229-10 (70.07), threw 237-6 (72.40). The place erupted.
Annette Echikunwoke, the 26-year-old Nigerian native who made last year’s U.S. team, lofted another bomb, 239-9 (73.09).
Then the 27-year-old Andersen, currently the world’s dominant thrower — by the time this competition ended she had the year’s 8 longest throws — assumed the lead, 245-7 (74.86), quickly followed by the feared DeAnna Price an inch back.
Round II — Kassanavoid into 3rd at 245-0 (74.68). Shippee pounced, added 6ft to her PR, 245-10 (74.93), into the lead! She raced to the fence and leaped into the arms of her coach.
All the other throwers paced and fumed, consulting with their coaches after every throw, like prizefighters and their cutmen in their corners.
Andersen up next, let’s be real, 246-11 (75.26). Price 249-2 (75.96)!
Round III — Andersen, take that, 251-1 (76.53)! She assumed the lead entering the final throws, thus would throw last.
Round IV — Price, back in form after an off year in ’22 following surgery, 256-6 (78.18)! You could hear the roar 50m away inside the stadium.
Could Anderson respond again? Yes, 258-0 (78.65)!
That one Price could not match, though she reached 252-0 (76.81) in Round V, as Andersen defeated her for the fourth consecutive time —though the 30-year-old Price holds a 10–8 lifetime edge.
Said the winner, “Obviously coming back with another gold medal would be amazing. But I know it’s gonna be a tough comp and I’m very realistic about that. So I’m just trying to be in the best shape I can and just try to do what I did today on the world stage — and I think I’ll be up there, top 3.”
Because Andersen has a Wild Card, 3rd place was not essential. Nevertheless, Kassanavoid threw 250-9 (76.44) in Round VI to pass Shippee, who got the Worlds Q with her 245-10 and also made the team.
The U.S. goes to Budapest with the past two champions, Andersen (’22) and Price (’19); two of last year’s medalists in Andersen and Kassanavoid, and the Nos. 2 and 3 throwers in history in Price (263-6/80.31) and Andersen (263-0/80.17).
WOMEN’S HAMMER RESULTS
(July 09)
1. Brooke Andersen (Nike) 258-0 (78.65)
(245-7, 246-11, 251-1, 258-0, 248-7, 245-0) (74.86, 75.26, 76.53, 78.65, 75.76, 74.69);
2. DeAnna Price (Nike) 256-6 (78.18)
(245-6, 249-2, f, 256-6, 252-0, f) (74.82, 75.96, f, 78.18, 76.81, f);
3. Janee’ Kassanavoid (Nike) 250-9 (76.44)
(234-5, 245-0, f, f, 245-3, 250-9) (71.47, 74.68, f, f, 74.75, 76.44);
4. Jillian Shippee (unat) 245-10 (74.93) PR (9, x A)
(237-6, 245-10, 234-9, 243-2, 242-5, 236-0) (72.40, 74.93, 71.56, 74.12, 73.88, 71.94);
5. Annette Echikunwoke (unat) 239-9 (73.09)
(239-9, f, f, 231-3, f, 237-10) (73.09, f, f, 70.49, f, 72.51);
6. Erin Reese (Vel) 232-11 (71.00)
(232-11, 226-1, 228-5, 230-7, f, 222-4) (71.00, 68.91, 69.63, 70.29, f, 67.76);
7. Maggie Ewen (Nike) 228-2 (69.54)
(224-7, f, 228-2, f, f, f) (68.46, f, 69.54, f, f, f);
8. Rachel Tanczos (Vel) 225-6 (68.73) (f, 225-6, f, f, f, f) (f, 68.73, f, f, f, f);
9. Janeah Stewart (NYAC) 225-1 (68.62); 10. Emma Robbins (KsSt) 223-1 (68.01); 11. Lisa Wilson (TS) 220-7 (67.23); 12. Jasmine Mitchell (Ms) 219-3 (66.83); 13. Madi Malone (Aub) 218-9 (66.69); 14. Shelby Moran (Or) 211-2 (64.36); 15. Mayyi Mahama (UCLA) 207-11 (63.39).