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Brooke Pleger - US Junior Nationals

Pleger Takes Third In Hammer Throw At U.S. Junior Nationals

Sun, Jun, 26 | Women's Track and Field


Brooke Pleger, a stalwart freshman on the 2011 Bowling Green State University track and field team, finished third on Saturday in the hammer throw competition at the 2011 United States Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Pleger competed against six other individuals in the event, held in Eugene, Ore. at Hayward Field, which is located on the campus of the University of Oregon.

She fouled on her first attempt but came back with a toss that traveled 49.20 meters (161-5) to immediately grab third place in the standings.  Her best throw occurred in her third attempt, as she earned a mark of 52.43 meters (172-0). 

Pleger also surpassed 50 meters in two of her final three attempts (50.98, 51.76).

By earning third place, Pleger surpassed performances by athletes from Wisconsin, Akron and Colorado State, each of whom failed to surpass 50 meters on any of their throws.

To qualify for this championship event, Pleger had to meet the qualifying standard of 51.50 meters.  She accomplished that in just her second otudoor event with the Falcons.  At the Toledo Collegiate Challenge in April, she placed fourth overall with a solid mark of 51.76 meters. 

Pleger also surpassed the qualifying standard at the All-Ohio Championships (51.55m) and the Mid-American Conference Championships.  Her throw at the MAC's championship meet was a career-best, as she threw the hammer 53.30 meters (174-10). 

She also met the age requirement -- to participate, athletes must be no younger than 14 on the day of competition and must be no older than 19 through December 31st.

Pleger will return to the Falcons in 2012 as a sophomore to help anchor a very strong BGSU throwing team that includes 2011 MAC indoor weight throw champion Jessie Rowland, as well as Ashley Harris, a multiple-time scorer at the MAC Championships.

Below is a brief video of the hammer throw award ceremony from Saturday...