Winger places third in javelin at Zürich Diamond League finals; Mwaura of Gonzaga starts collegiate career with win...

DIAMOND LEAGUE RECAP FROM ZÜRICH & BRUSSELS

Vancouver native Kara Winger (above/photo by Mike Scott) earned a third place finish Thursday night in the women’s javelin finals at the Weltklasse Zürich meet, one of the two season-ending meets of the IAAF Diamond League circuit.

Winger threw a season best of 212-5 (64.75m) as Tatsiana Khaladovich of Belarus won with a best of 219-9 (66.99m).

With her third place finish, she claimed $10000 for her efforts.

Here is Kara's thoughts on her performance at the Weltklasse Zürich meet:

Tears of joy tonight. Third place felt like victory at @weltklassezurich with 64.75m (an all-time Europe PB and 2018 SB), 6 throws over 60m (4 over 61.90m), and Coach @danapoundslyon with wisdom and encouragement in the stands. Thanks to @myersje58 for preparing me so well for this end-of-season push, @jrssports for consistent amazing opportunities and belief, and @russthrowsstuff for love and support, as well as family, friends and everyone else for cheers always. #javelin is fun. www.youtube.com/diamondleague #ZurichDL #DiamondLeague #DLFinal

A post shared by Kara Winger (@karathrowsjav) on Aug 30, 2018 at 5:04pm PDT

In the women’s pole vault, Pullman resident Katie Nageotte finished in a tie for fourth, as she cleared 15-0 (4.57m).

Stanford alum and reigning world and Olympic champion Katerina Stefanidi of Greece won the event with a season best clearance of 15-11.75 (4.87m).

Nageotte’s tie for fourth place with Great Britain’s Holly Bradshaw earned both vaulters $5500.

On Friday, former Renton resident and Oregon alum Devon Allen finished sixth in the IAAF Diamond League men’s 110 hurdles finals at the Ivo Van Damme Memorial meet in Brussels, Belgium, as the IAAF Diamond League finished its season-long run that began in Doha in May.

Allen, who entered the Diamond League finals fourth in the standings, ran 13.41, as Sergey Shubenkov, an authorized neutral athlete from Russia, won in 12.97.

The results of the Weltklasse Zürich are available here, while the results of the Ivo Van Damme meet are available here.

MWAURA VICTORIOUS IN COLLEGIATE DEBUT FOR ZAGS

In Moscow, Idaho, Lincoln/Tacoma grad James Mwaura (left/photo courtesy Gonzaga University) made an immediate impact for the Gonzaga Bulldogs in his first collegiate race, winning the men’s race at the season-opening Clash of the Inland Northwest race Friday afternoon at the University of Idaho Golf Course.

Mwaura, who ran the fastest time in the country this season at both 3200 meters (8:46.87 at the Washington 3A championships), and the 2 mile (8:48.76 at the Brooks PR), ran 17:05 over the announced 6k distance, winning the race by 11 seconds over Gonzaga teammate Sammy Truax, as the Zags took seven of the first eight places, with defending champion Jake Perrin of Gonzaga, competing unattached, finishing fifth.

Eastern Washington was led by Carter Ledwith, who finished 21st in a time of 17:55.

The Zags finished with a perfect 15 points to win the men’s team competition, followed by Idaho with 60, and Montana with 83.  Eastern Washington was fourth with 127 points in Sam Read’s debut as head cross country coach of the Eagles.

In the women’s 4k race, Aimee Piercy of Gonzaga was the top finisher for the Bulldogs, running 14:30 to finish sixth.

Lily Tyrell of Eastern Washington was their first runner across the finish line, taking 19th in 15:05.

Idaho, led by winner Andrea Condie’s 13:51, put the first five runners across the line to also win with a perfect 15 points.

Finishing behind Idaho were Montana with 59 points, and Gonzaga in third with 74 points.  Eastern Washington finished fifth with 142 points.

Complete results of the Clash of the Inland Northwest are available here.

NOTE:  The IAAF, Gonzaga University, and the University of Idaho contributed to this report.