News Summary
The Golden State Throwers excelled at the USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Championships, securing eight medals and multiple All-American honors. Standout performances included Amanda Javellana’s second place in the Hammer Throw, Zane Commins’ third place, and Elizabeth Ojukwu’s national championship victory in the 15/16 division. The team celebrated their achievements, including a total of 11 All-American awards overall, marking a successful season prior to heading to various colleges on scholarship.
Savannah, Georgia – The USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Championships took place during the last week of July at Savannah State University, witnessing impressive performances from local athletes representing the Golden State Throwers (GST). The team, coached by Mike Curry and based in Herald, emerged as a powerhouse, securing a total of eight medals and multiple All-American honors throughout the competition.
Among the standout athletes was Amanda Javellana from Rancho Cordova, who competed in the 17/18 women’s division Hammer Throw. Javellana captured second place with a remarkable personal best throw of 177 feet and 5 inches, marking her fifth All-American award in this event. She is poised to further her throwing career on scholarship at California State University, Long Beach next year.
Fellow competitor in the same division, Thea Jeffress from Brentwood, finished closely behind Javellana, placing fourth with a throw of 151 feet and 4 inches. Jeffress is also set to continue her athletic journey on scholarship at California State University, Fresno.
In the 17/18 men’s division Hammer Throw, Zane Commins of Elk Grove showcased his talent by securing third place with a throw of 206 feet and 1 inch. Commins will be taking his skills to Weber State University in Utah on a scholarship next year. His teammate, Avery Mitchell, finished eighth in the same division with a throw of 185 feet and 5 inches.
Young throwers also made their mark in the 15/16 girls division, where Elizabeth Ojukwu from Rancho Cordova was crowned national champion, achieving a first-place throw of 159 feet even. Ojukwu, along with Madeline Hess from Folsom, who took third place with a throw of 147 feet and 2 inches, both secured their second consecutive All-American awards in the Hammer Throw event.
Representing the boys in the same age division, Alex Edwards from Tracy finished eighth with a throw of 148 feet and 10 inches. In the 17/18 men’s Shot Put, Joseph Garcia from Elk Grove threw for 56 feet and 11.5 inches, earning fifth place and adding to his accolades with a second All-American award. Garcia will be attending Boise State University on a scholarship next year.
Earlier this summer, the Golden State Throwers also found success at the Nike Outdoor Nationals held in June in Eugene, Oregon. Zane Commins claimed a gold medal with a championship-winning throw of 197 feet even, while Amanda Javellana brought home a third-place medal with her throw of 174 feet and 7 inches. Additionally, teammate Logan Remington secured seventh place, throwing 181 feet and 4 inches.
The Golden State Throwers concluded the season with two national champions and a cumulative total of 11 All-American awards, underscoring their dedication and excellence in the sport. The team expressed pride in their hard work and accomplishments over the course of the season.
For more information about the Golden State Throwers, including training and events, visit their website at goldenstatethrowers.org or follow them on Instagram at @golden_state_throwers.
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- Daily Herald: Prep Football Season Opener
- Wikipedia: Track and Field
- Fullerton Titans: Ian Dossman
- Google Search: California State Track and Field
- Sports Illustrated: Fastest in California
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Track and Field
- Matadors: Amani Britton
- Google News: Golden State Throwers
