Recap: U.S Olympic Team Trials - Track and Field

Raise your hand if any of the outcomes of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials were on your 2024 bingo card - Not me!

This year’s Olympic Trials were a rollercoaster of excitement and unpredictability! The Team USA roster was up for grabs, and this year, we saw a wave of fresh talent stepping up to represent the USA in Paris. When I tell you that no one is ever guaranteed a spot on this team, I mean NO ONE! The minute the ring or runway is open, it becomes anyone’s game. Let’s dive right in!

 -Hammer Throw-

Did somebody call for an icon? The 2019 World Champion, Deanna Price, qualified for her third Olympic Games in the Women’s Hammer Throw, and I am thrilled! Her third-round throw of 74.52m (244’6”) awarded her second place, only 16cm behind the Olympic Team Trials Champion Annette Echikunwoke with a throw of 74.68m (245’). In third place and claiming the final spot for Team USA is Erin Reese, with a throw of 71.21m (233’7”). This will be Echikunwoke’s and Reese’s first Olympics, and we expect all three to make it to the Olympic finals, according to their personal records.

On the men’s side, we welcome back the 2x World Championship finalist Daniel Haugh and the now 3x Olympian Rudy Winkler! Haugh claims victory at the Olympic Trials with a throw of 79.51m (260’10”), and Winkler places second with a throw of 78.89m (258’10”). In third place is Justin Stafford with a throw of 77.07m (252’10”). Unfortunately, we will not see him at the Paris Olympics due to not reaching the Olympic standard. Regardless, he deserves a huge congratulations for earning the bronze medal, especially with how stacked the competition was.

 -Shot Put-

Moving on to Women’s Shot Put, 2x World Champion and American Record holder Chase Jackson claims gold with her fourth-round throw of 20.10m (65’11.5”). What a great time to achieve a new Season’s Best (SB)! A throw over 20m should place her in medal contention, so she will be one to watch at the Games. In second place with a throw of 19.90m (65’3”), is the fan-favorite and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Silver Medalist Raven Saunders! Leading up to the Trials, they made it clear on social media that they were out for blood – nothing less than a ticket to Paris, and that was established in the first round with a 19.88m (65’2.75”) throw. Claiming the final spot is recent University of Oregon graduate Jaida Ross, with a throw of 19.60m (64’3.75”). Before the trials, she won NCAAs and broke her own collegiate record in the shot put, so she was on a great trajectory heading into the trials. Again, another solid group of three joining Team USA – I see some Olympic finalists in the future!

Can we talk about the Men’s Shot Put Finals?! It was a game of 22s! The 2x Olympic Gold Medalist Ryan Crouser reigned victorious with a throw of 22.84m (74’11.25”); however, it was not without a fight. By the end of the first round, first and second place were separated by 1cm. Crouser with a throw of 22.44m and Joe Kovacs with a throw of 22.43m. Kovacs, the 2x Olympic Silver Medalist, finishes the Trials with a silver medal with that first-round throw. Rounding out the top three and moving on to the Paris Olympics is 2020 Tokyo Olympian Payton Otterdahl, with a fifth-round throw of 22.26m (73’7.5”). Ultimately, it was an excellent showing for all the competitors, and this was not an easy Trials! To qualify for the 2024 Olympics, it took over 22m, which, compared to around the world, ranks within the top 10!

 -Discus-

Rookie Alert! In the Women’s Discus, Jayden Ulrich and Veronica Fraley earned second and third, respectively, and punched their ticket to their first Olympic Games! Ulrich’s best throw was 62.63m (205’5”) and Fraley’s was 62.54m (205’2”). Congratulations ladies!

I think we all know who took first place… I mean… Are you living under a rock?! Valarie Allman is back and better than ever! After earning the silver medal in the 2023 World Championships, she expressed how dominant she wanted to be in 2024, and that’s exactly what she’s done all season long. Her first-round throw of 67.19m (220’5”) already gave her the win, but she was far from done. She completed her series with a final throw of 70.73m (232’0”), which confirms her #1 spot in the World rankings. Valarie is going for gold in this year’s Games, and this performance showed it.

Over on the men’s side, 2016 Rio Olympian Andrew Evans won the Trials with a throw of 66.61m (218’6”) from the third round. In second place, also qualifying for his second Olympic Games, is the 2020 Tokyo Olympian Sam Mattis, with his farthest throw of 66.07m (216’9”) from the first round. Joseph Brown rounds out the competition and earns his ticket to his first Olympic Games. His sixth-round throw of 65.79m (215’10”) earned him third place.

 -Javelin Throw-

In the Women’s Javelin, the 2x Olympian Maggie Malone Hardin earns her ticket to her third Olympic Games with not only the win at the Trials, but a new Meet Record! Her first-round throw of 64.58m (211’10”) granted her the win, and no one could catch up to her. She will be the sole competitor representing Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Finishing second is the 4x Olympian Kara Winger with a sixth-round throw of 62.94m (206’6”). Shortly after the Trials, she announced her retirement. Kara has accomplished so much in the sport of javelin, and it was a true honor to watch her compete. All her accolades are well-earned and deserved – Congratulations on a fantastic career, Kara!

Madison Wiltrout finished in third with a second-round throw of 61.17m (200’8”). It was a great competition for Wiltrout; she earned the bronze medal and did it with a new Personal Best (PB)!

Lastly, on the men’s side, the 2020 Tokyo Olympian Curtis Thompson earns his spot on his second Olympic team with the winning throw of 83.04m (272’5”). He will also be the sole competitor representing Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Capers Williamson claims second place with a throw of 79.57m (261’0”)(SB), and Donavon Banks earned third place with a throw of 79.19m (259’9”). Unfortunately, they did not place in the top 30 in the World rankings, so they will not compete in Paris this year. I have a feeling they will return next year to fight for their spot on Team USA for the 2025 Tokyo World Track and Field Championships.

All in all, we have a strong team representing Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It’s been said that if you can qualify for the team, you’ll likely be in medal contention at the Olympics. Being a part of Team USA has become increasingly competitive, which has led to some remarkable results. I have a feeling we will be taking home many medals this year. Go Team USA!

Who do you think will reign victorious at the Paris Olympics? I cannot wait to find out!

Throwing it far,

SGB