Gruver and Winger take victories at USATF Throws Festival...

TUCSON--Olivia Gruver (Paul Merca photo) and Kara Winger each picked up victories at the USATF Throws Festival Saturday night at Drachman Stadium near the campus of the University of Arizona, as they hone in on next month's USA Outdoor Championships in Eugene and possible spots on the world championships on home soil.

In the javelin, Winger, the four-time US Olympian and one of the most decorated javelin throwers in American history, made it look like she still has more in the tank, despite her announcement months ago that 2022 will be her final season competing at the national level.

Winger took command of the competition with her first round throw of 196-6 (59.89m) and never looked back, improving in rounds 5 and 6, closing with a final throw of 209-2 (63.75m), 25 centimeters short of the world championships qualifying standard.

In contrast, Washington alum Olivia Gruver fought both the swirling winds and the field to win the women's pole vault with a best of 14-11 (4.55m).

Gruver and former Oregon Duck Kortney Ross were the only two vaulters to even clear a height in the competition. Ross bowed out at 14-1.25 (4.30m), while Gruver came perilously close to a no height, clearing 14-1.25 on her third attempt.

Spokane native Josh Syrotchen finished fourth in the discus, throwing the platter 207-0 (63.10m).

Renton native and Washington State alum Brock Eager finished ninth in the men's hammer, throwing a best of 237-8 (72.45m).

Complete results of the USATF Throws Festival are available here.

In Birmingham, Josh Kerr of the Brooks Beasts finished fifth in the featured men's 1500 at the Müller Anniversary Games, the second stop in the Wanda Diamond League tour.

Kerr ran 3:35.92, as Abel Kipsang of Kenya won in 3:35.15.

Washington alum Gianna Woodruff finished fifth in the 400 hurdles, running 55.43 as training partner and defending world champion Dalilah Muhammad won in 54.54.

Former Pullman resident and reigning Olympic champion Katie Nageotte, on the mend back from a bout of COVID-19, finished seventh in the pole vault, clearing 14-1.25 (4.30m).

Washington alum Izzi Batt-Doyle was 12th in the 5000 meters, as she ran 15:29.05.

Complete results of the Müller Anniversary Games are available here.

The Wanda Diamond League resumes next Friday and Saturday with the Nike Prefontaine Classic in Eugene at Hayward Field.

NOTE: USA Track & Field and the Wanda Diamond League contributed to this report.

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