Eugene, Oregon (6/3/08)
Good luck in discerning a clear favorite in this Sunday's Prefontaine Classic discus throw. Yes, the event has Vera Cechlova of the Czech Republic, No. 5 in the world last year as ranked by Track & Field News magazine. But with no Olympic Trials to have to peak for, the Pre Classic will be Checlova's international opener. Not so for Americans Suzy Powell, Becky Breisch, Aretha Thurmond, and Stephanie Brown-Trafton. Powell is, of course, the current American recordholder at 222-0 (67.67). Breisch won the New York Grand Prix last Saturday, comebacking Thurmond was 2nd, and Brown-Trafton has the farthest throw in the world this year of 217-1 (66.17). Oh yes, the Pre Classic and Hayward Field record is 214-5 (65.35).
In the hammer throw, world No. 2 Betty Heidler of Germany is the clear favorite off her World Championships win in Osaka, but she can't rest on last year's laurels. World No. 4 Ivana Brkljacic of Croatia has a farther throw this year than Heidler, 240-6 (73.30) to 239-2 (72.91 at altititude). Behind this duo is a group of hungry Americans, including University of Oregon grad Britney Henry, winner of the New York Grand Prix hammer, Bethany Hart, second at that meet, and Mt. SAC Relays winner and Olympic Trials favorite Amber Campbell, who has the farthest throw among Americans this year, 230-3 (70.19). The Pre Classic and Hayward Field record is 229-1 (69.82).
DISCUS THROW (WOMEN
Suzy Powell
Becky Breisch
Aretha Thurmond
Anna Soderberg (Sweden)
Stephanie Brown-Trafton
Vera Cechlova (Czech Republic)
Gia Lewis
HAMMER THROW (WOMEN)
Betty Heidler (Germany)
Ivana Brkljacic (Croatia)
Cari Soong
Britney Henry
Jenny Dahlgren (Argentina)
Olga Kuzenkova (Russia)
Bethany Hart
Amber Campbell
Loree Smith
