Wednesday, May 13, 2009

3 FOR 3: GOLD MEDALISTS HEADLINE PRE CLASSIC THROWS

May 13, 2009
For Immediate Release


3 FOR 3: GOLD MEDALISTS
HEADLINE PRE CLASSIC THROWS

Eugene, Oregon--It quite literally doesn't get any better than
this. In the three throwing events at this year's Prefontaine Classic
on June 7th, each is headlined by the Olympic gold medalist from Beijing
in that event.
In the men's Shot Put, it's a clean sweep: gold medalist Tomasz
Majewski of Poland, silver medalist Christian Cantwell of the U.S., and
bronze medalist Andrey Mikhnevich of Belarus. Not to overlook defending
Pre Classic champion Adam Nelson and reigning World Champion Reese
Hoffa, who has the farthest throw in the world this year. In fact, with
8 out of the top 10 putters in the world in the field, including Nos. 1
through 6 as ranked by Track & Field News magazine, this will arguably
be the best field of shot putters ever assembled on American soil.
American Olympic gold medalist Stephanie Brown Trafton takes center
stage in the Discus ring, returning to Hayward Field where she narrowly
made the Olympic team last summer. The defending Pre Classic champion
then went on to Beijing to become the first U.S. gold medalist in the
event since 1932 in what was the biggest upset of the track & field
portion of the Games. She will be joined by Olympic Trials winner
Aretha Thurmond, ranked 10th in the world, and American Recordholder
Suzy Powell.
Adding to the medal haul is the women's Hammer Throw, which
features Olympic gold medalist Oksana Menkova of Belarus, who makes her
first visit to Hayward Field, as is Olympic bronze medalist Wenxiu Zhang
of China. In addition to these No. 1 and No. 3-ranked throwers, the
hammer features the No. 5 Darya Pchelnik of Belarus and No. 8 Betty
Heidler of Germany, last year's Prefontaine Classic winner.
Running total: three events, five Beijing Olympic medalists!
Tickets for the 35th annual Prefontaine Classic are on sale at
1-800-WEBFOOT or online at www.goducks.com

SHOT PUT (MEN)

Tomasz Majewski (Poland)
Christian Cantwell
Andrey Mikhnevich (Belarus)
Reese Hoffa
Adam Nelson
Dorian Scott (Jamaica)
Dylan Armstrong (Canada)
Dan Taylor

DISCUS THROW (WOMEN)

Stephanie Brown Trafton
Aretha Thurmond
Suzy Powell
Becky Breisch
Summer Pierson
Gia Lewis-Smallwood

HAMMER THROW (WOMEN)

Oksana Menkova (Belarus)
Xiang Wenxiu (China)
Betty Heidler (Germany)
Britney Henry
Amber Campbell
Jessica Cosby
Darya Pchelnick (Belarus)
Sultana Frizell (Canada)
Loree Smith

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