Aretha Thurmond seventh in Doha Diamond League season opener...

DOHA, Qatar--University of Washington alum and four-time US Olympian Aretha Thurmond (above/photo by Randy Miyazaki, trackandfieldphoto.com) finished seventh in the discus at the opening meet of the IAAF Diamond League season, the Doha Grand Prix, at the Doha Sports Club Friday night.

Thurmond threw a best of 197-5 (60.19m), as reigning Olympic champion Sandra Perkovic of Croatia took the victory with a world leading toss of 223-10 (68.23m), which was one of eleven world-leading marks set Friday.

Olympic champs David Rudisha of Kenya, and Brittney Reese of the USA set world leading marks in the 800 (1:43.87) and long jump (23-9 1/2, 7.25m) respectively.

Besides the trio, Ryan Whiting in the Shot Put, who is coached by UW throws coach TJ Crater, Konstantinos Filippidis in the Pole Vault, Abeba Aregawi in the 1500m, Dawn Harper-Nelson in the 100m Hurdles, Lidya Chepkurui in the 3000m Steeplechase,  Amantle Montsho in the 400m, Asbel Kiprop in the 1500m and Hagos Gebrhiwet in the 3000m set world leading marks Friday.

The meet recap is available here, while the results are available here.

The IAAF Diamond League series moves on to Shanghai on May 18th, before it stops in the United States for the adidas Grand Prix in New York on the 25th, and the Nike Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on June 1st.

NOTE:  The IAAF contributed to this report.