Vancouver's Kara Patterson wins fifth national title in javelin...
SACRAMENTO--Kara Patterson (left/photo by Paul Merca) is back.
The graduate of Skyview HS in Vancouver, on the comeback trail after surgery on her left knee after the 2012 London Olympics, won her fifth career USA national title, throwing 204-10 (62.43m) on the first full day of competition at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hornet Stadium on the campus of Cal State Sacramento.
The two time US Olympian opened with a toss of 185-11 (56.67m) then followed with a throw of 196-2 (59.79m) to take the lead in round two.
After Brittany Borman took the lead from her in the third stanza with a personal best of 203-7 (62.05m), Patterson retook the lead with her eventual winning toss of 204-10 (62.43m) to seal the victory.
In the finals, Borman fouled twice before throwing 198-7 in the sixth round, while Patterson threw over the 200-foot stripe on her final attempt, getting the spear out 204-4 (62.28m).
Patterson, who announced that she and Idaho alum and national class shot/discus thrower Russ Winger are engaged, stated that she will throw in at least four meets this summer--Lausanne, Harry Jerome in Burnaby, Lucerne, and Monaco.
On the bulky brace that she's worn all season to protect her left knee, she will continue to wear it until the end of this season.
In other finals, Washington State alum Blessing Ufodiama finished fourth in the triple jump (44-2, 13.46m), the same mark as defending champ Andrea Geubelle of University Place for fifth.
Sequim HS grad Stephanie Dinius was seventh in the women's 10000 in 32:56.14, while Bellingham native Jake Riley was ninth in the men's 10000 in 29:06.07.
Western Washington's duo of Katie Reichert (159-1, 48.50m) and Bethany Drake (155-8, 47.44m) are 13th and 15th overall in the javelin.
Those who advanced in qualifying Thursday included Rainier Beach HS grad Michael Berry in the 400 (45.43); Riley Masters (3:43.02) and Garrett Heath (3:44.98) of the Brooks Beasts in the men's 1500; Cas Loxsom (1:47.92) and Mark Wieczorek (1:47.62) of the Brooks Beasts in the 800.
The USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships continue at Hornet Stadium until Sunday.
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