Tag Archive for: USATF

Martin Bingisser

If Not Now, When?

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If you see something that is wrong, you can do two things: act or wait. Acting is not easy; it may cost you your friends, your reputation, or your job. But in many cases it is what is needed. If you wait for someone else to change things then change will likely never come. The old saying goes “you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.” That was definitely true in the case of Harold Connolly, the man who taught me that you can’t compromise or back down on matters of principle. Read more

Martin Bingisser

2017 USATF Championships Women’s Throws Guide

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The NCAA Championships earlier this month showcased the next generation of throwers with individuals like Maggie Ewen setting an NCAA record and scoring in three events. However the veterans of the American throwing scene are not ready to hand over baton quiet yet. Names like Michelle Carter, Kara Winger, and Gia Smallwood-Lewis will be looking to keep their hold at the top of their respective events as the US Championships kick off on Thursday. For a preview of the men’s action, see the guide we posted yesterday. Read more

Martin Bingisser

2017 USATF Championships Men’s Throws Guide

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The US Championships kick off on Thursday and a change in venue from Eugene to Sacramento means more sun and less rain. Temperatures are expected to reach over 100 degrees, meaning the weather may be as hot as the action. With two Americans chasing the world record in the shot put and close competitions for the World Championships team in every event, it should be an exciting weekend of throwing. Below we break down each men’s event. Check back tomorrow for a look at the women’s action. Read more

Martin Bingisser

Olympic Trials Women’s Throws Guide

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The countdown is over: the Olympic Trials start today. Earlier in the week we provided you our comprehensive guide to the men’s throws at the Olympic Trials. Today we take in depth look at the women’s throwing events. Let su know who you think will win in the comments below or on social media (@hmmrmedia on Twitter or Facebook). Read more

Martin Bingisser

Olympic Trials Men’s Throws Guide

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The dream of every thrower is to be an Olympian, and every four year the top 24 athletes in each event get the chance to fight it out for that opportunity to be one of their event’s three representatives on the world’s best team. In some events, like the men’s shot put, it will be nearly as difficult to make the team as it will be to get on the Olympic podium in Rio. This year the battle goes back to Eugene Oregon from July 1 to 10, and all the throwing events feature great storylines, close competition, and more. Below we break down what to expect in each of the men’s throwing events. Click here for our guide to the women’s throwing events. Read more

Martin Bingisser

Clarifying the US Olympic Selection Procedures

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Most people thought that with the elimination of Olympic B qualifying standards, the Olympic Trials selection process would be simpler this time around. For the most part, it will be. There will just be a fixed standard, a fixed team size, and a fixed deadline (i.e. no time to chase it after the Trials). But if things were that clear cut, I wouldn’t need to write this post. Despite some last minute adjustments, the Olympic qualifying standards are still absurdly high in some events. The IAAF has set a target field size of each event and plans to send out extra invitations if not enough people meet the standard. That will indeed be the case in the field and multi events, even though the size is limited to just 32 athletes. As of last week less than half the events have reached that number, including just 3 of the 9 events on the men’s side. (And this is before taking into account that more and more countries are now electing to leave home athletes that have met these already rigid standards.) The IAAF’s procedures to fill up the field based on descending order lists was an administrative failure last year and leaves everyone with a bit of uncertainty with one month left in the Olympic qualifying period. So I’ve dug into the USATF selection procedures in hopes of bringing clarity to the athletes competing for a chance at glory next month. Read more

Martin Bingisser

Why Isn’t Andrew Evans on Team USA?

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I have written before about the ludicrous new IAAF qualifying standards. The men’s discus and hammer were hit harder than perhaps any event. This year is a test run with the new system before they hike the standards up even higher for next year’s Olympic games. The idea was to simplify the system, but in the end it seems that athletes, coaches, and even federations are confused about the process. Read more

Martin Bingisser

2015 USATF Championships Women’s Throws Guide

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A decade ago America women’s throwing was struggling. At the 2005 World Championships only one woman (Erin Gilreath) made a final. She placed ninth. America was only able to send two shot putters and one javelin thrower. But ten years later the picture is completely different. In the women’s shot put, for example, thirteen athletes have the world championships qualifying standard this year. In each and every event America not only has potential finalists, but medalists. What used to be one of the weak sports of American track and field has now become a strength. With the US Championships starting in one week it will be a great chance to showcase some of these new stars and the added depth across the country. Below is a bit more about the championship and an in depth look at each event. Check back this weekend we’ll also provide coverage of the men’s throwing events. Read more

Martin Bingisser

2014 US Championships Men’s Throws Guide

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We just launched a new Facebook page for HMMR Media. Click here to visit it, like it, and share it with friends. Thanks for the support.

PrintWith a little more than a day until the shot put action kicks off, I finally was able to put the finishing touches of my men’s throws guide for the 2014 USATF Championships. The women’s guide I posted last week was fairly easy to prepare as is a clear favorites in all four throwing events. Not a single men’s throwing event, on the other hand, has a clear frontrunner. Even making a short list of who could possibly win is impossible in each event. But I’ve tried to narrow it down for you all. The only thing guaranteed is that there will be a surprise this week and it will be entertaining even if the throwing events are being relegated to outside the stadium.

USATF will be streaming the meet online for free. You can watch it live online here.
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Martin Bingisser

2014 US Championships Women’s Throws Guide

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We just launched a new Facebook page for HMMR Media. Click here to visit it, like it, and share it with friends. Thanks for the support.

PrintIt’s less than a week until the US Championships begin in Sacramento. With no world championship to qualify for this year, some big names might be missing from other events. But for throwers it is business as usual. All of the top American throwers will be there. Even without a spot on Team USA up for grabs, they will be fighting for bragging rights, bonuses, and personal bests.

USATF will be streaming the meet online for free. You can watch it live online here.

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