Webb- representing Team USA as the only American athlete competing in the javelin- finishes 27th overall.
July 13, 2004
Grosseto, Italy- Two weeks after winning gold in the javelin throw at the USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships, freshman
Mallory Webb (Dundee, Ore.) was unable to advance out of the qualifying round at the IAAF World Junior Championships on Tuesday night in Grosseto, Italy.
Webb became eligible for the international competition after capturing the javelin title at the USATF Junior National meet at College Station, Texas, back on June 26.
However, the competition at the IAAF (International Association of Athletic Federations) World Junior Championships proved to be a stiff challenge. Webb, representing the United States as the only American athlete entered in the event, finished 14th in her group and 27th overall with a meet-best toss of 42.89m (140-9) in her final throw. Webb fouled on her first toss and threw 42.27m (138-8) in her second.
Iceland's Ásd's Hjálmsdóttir led both qualifying groups with a throw of 55.51m (182-2) to set a new National Junior record. Australia's Annabel Thomson recorded the second-best mark, while Annika Suthe of Germany checked in third. The top-12 competitors overall advance to Thursday's event finals.
For Webb, the opportunity to represent Team USA in an international competition was just another highlight in an impressive freshman season.
Last month at the NCAA Track and Field Championships, Webb became Fresno State's first track and field All-American in three years when she recorded a personal-best throw of 162-10 (49.64m) to place seventh in the national finals of the javelin. Webb, who threw distances of 150-0 or better eight different times and had six first-place finishes to her credit in 2004, was the only freshman to qualify for the NCAA finals.
***NOTE: The Fresno State track and field summer youth meet originally scheduled for Thursday, July 22 has been moved to Tuesday, July 20 and will represent the city championships. All Fresno State track and field summer track meets are held at Warmerdam Field. The field events begin at 5 p.m., while the running events start at 7 p.m. There is a $3 entry fee for athletes, coaches and fans, with the North Gym lot available for parking. For additional details, call the track and field office at 559-278-4097.
