Posted on

Millard North thrower earns All-American honors in three different events

Millard North thrower earns All-American honors in three different events

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Millard North junior Kat Beachler is one of the most well-rounded throwers in the country. The three-time All-American placed second in javelin at the USATF Junior Olympic Championships in July in Sacramento, CA along with placing third in shot put, fifth in discus, and 11th in the hammer throw.

Two of those event not sound familiar? Here’s how Beachler describes them:

”Hammer is like a metal ball on a chain and you just spin with it and throw it. And javelin is basically a long spear that you throw,” said Beachler.

Following first place finishes in shot put and discus in Class A this past season, Beachler moved onto her summer track and field season with the West Omaha Wolves Track Club where she’s able to compete in hammer and javelin.

”They’re so different. It’s like practicing a different sport. So for my practices each week it’s so hard to get multiple practices of the same event in because they’re all so different,” said Beachler.

”Everyone looks at it like throwing is throwing. It’s like doing basketball, volleyball, football. Pick four events and that’s pretty much what she’s doing in the summer time,” said Millard North’s throwing coach Lisa Charles.

Besides competing in four throwing events, Beachler stands out in another way. In the throwing world, Bleacher is considered undersized.

“You look at Kat, she’s like a buck fifty and 5′5. So you can’t compare a 5′5 athlete to a 6-foot-tall thrower. You can’t. So the fact that she’s doing this as a very small, petite thrower is what makes it so incredible,” said Charles.

Having wrapped up her summer track season, Beachler is turning to her offseason training routine.

”During the winter it’s more lifting which is what I’m starting to do right now. But it’s hard to do that over the summer when you’re practicing your events, but a lot of it is just drills and then getting the throws in during the week,” said Beachler.

Copyright 2022 WOWT. All rights reserved.

Posted on

Anna Hall Leads Heptathlon at USATF Combined Events Championships Through Four Events – Florida Gators

Anna Hall Leads Heptathlon at USATF Combined Events Championships Through Four Events - Florida Gators
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Florida heptathlete Anna Hall put up a pair of personal bests in the 100-meter hurdles (13.21) and the 200 meters (23.14) to take the lead through four events at the USATF Combined Events Championships on Friday evening.
 
The 3781 points that Hall scored on the first day of action is 21 more than she scored on the first day of the Texas Relays back in March, putting her on pace for a new personal record.
 
Hall got things started on Friday afternoon by laying down a big-time personal best of 13.21 (+1.8) in the 100-meter hurdles.
 
Her mark moves her into No. 9 all-time in Florida history in the 100-meter hurdles.
 
The Highlands Ranch, Colo. native cleared 1.76m/5-9.25 in the High Jump and threw 12.51/41-0.5 in the Shot Put to put her into fifth heading into the 200 meters, the final event of the day.
 
Hall kicked it into high gear to close out Friday’s action, running 23.14 in the 200 meters to take first, score 1065 points and move all the way into the lead after the conclusion of four events.
 
That mark of 23.14 is just one-hundredth of a second off the all-time collegiate best set in a Heptathlon 200 meters (23.13).
 
Hall’s outstanding performances in the hurdles and 200 meters ensured a first-day lead against the rest of the field.
 
She returns to action tomorrow to close out the competition with the Long Jump and the Javelin before ending with one of her premier events, the 800 meters.
 
Hall needs to finish in the Top 3, or in fourth with Kendell Williams in the top 3, to secure her spot on Team USA for this summer’s World Championships.
 
If she makes the American team, Hall will also need to secure the World Championships qualifying standard (6420) during this weekend or at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships.
 
Action in Fayetteville picks back up at 4:00 p.m. EST with the Long Jump and will run through the 800 meters at 6:15 p.m. EST tomorrow evening.
 
Heptathlon Standings (Through Four Events)
1. Anna Hall (3781)
2. Chari Hawkins (3750)
3. Michelle Atherley (3673)
4. Taliyah Brooks (3662)
5. Kendell Williams (3659)
                                                                                                                                                           
A complete list of results for the Gators is below.
 









Friday, May 6th: USATF Combined Events Championships
Event Place, Gators – Time / Mark | Notes
Heptathlon: 100mH    5. Anna Hall: 13.21 (+1.8) (1093) | Personal Best
Heptathlon: High Jump  4. Anna Hall: 1.76m/5-9.25 (928)
Heptathlon: Shot Put  6. Anna Hall: 12.51m/41-0.5 (695)
Heptathlon: 200m   1. Anna Hall: 23.14 (+1.2) (1065) | Personal Best

 
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators