By Jasmyne Tomas, University of Oregon SOJC Track Bureau
When she stepped into the ring for her final throw Sunday at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, U.S. champion Brooke Andersen had already won gold in the women’s hammer throw. She had watched as her closest competitor, Canada’s Camryn Rogers, missed her last chance to take the gold.
“After Camryn threw her last one, and the number popped up on the board, I wanted to cry just naturally because I knew what had just happened,” said Andersen. “But the competitiveness in me was just like, you still have another throw, like you can throw farther.”
Her fourth attempt was the mark that solidified the gold, but it was her last throw of 78.96 that had the crowd screaming for her and extended her margin of victory by nearly two meters.
An event that has long been dominated by Eastern Europe and China had a podium of all North American athletes. Rogers won silver at 75.52m, and Jenee’ Kassanavoid of the United States won bronze at 74.75m. This is the first North American sweep in the women’s event.
“I mean, they’re incredible women, incredible throwers,” said Rogers. “And it’s always so motivating and inspiring to see them doing so well.”
Just a couple of months ago, Rogers wrapped up her collegiate career at Cal with yet another NCAA title and collegiate record. She is the first to win a medal for Canada in the event.
Growing up in a very athletic family, Kassanavoid played about every sport before focusing on track and field; it wasn’t until she was in college that she knew the hammer existed.
“So, eight years later, we’ve come a long way super fast, faster than most, but I have a long ways to go still,” said Kassanavoid. “This isn’t the end.”
Andersen’s win should come as no surprise; this past season for her has been especially strong. Of the six times she competed, she only lost once, and that was a second-place finish to her compatriot Kassanavoid at the USATF Throws Festival.
This breakout year for Andersen didn’t just come about. At the 2019 Doha World Championships, she finished in 20th place, and this past summer at the 2020 Olympics she came in 10th place. The past several years have built her up to her first worlds gold medal.
Due to a nasty case of COVID-19, the 2019 Doha World Champion, DeAnna Price, had to withdraw from worlds. She was the first American woman to bring home a medal in the hammer at worlds.
