INDIANAPOLIS -- Bettering her own women's American record* in the discus, Valarie Allman (Austin, TX/USATF Texas Southern) earned recognition as the 14th USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2025.
The reigning two-time Olympic champion took advantage of the conditions at the Oklahoma Throws World Invitational in Ramona to hit 73.52/241-2 in the third round, adding more than two meters to the ratified American record of 71.46/234-5 that she set in 2022.
Allman, who has nine of the top 10 all-time performances by an American, moved to No. 6 on the world all-time performer list and No. 10 on the all-time world performance list with her big throw, and it was the farthest throw in the world since 1989. She added a 70.16/230-2 toss on her final attempt, the ninth-farthest throw ever by an American.
Other top performances from last week:
Charlie Lawrence won the men's title at the USATF 50K Road Championships in Wisconsin, clocking 2:49:02 to win by more than four minutes.
Courtney Olsen was the women's champion at the USATF 50K Road Championships in Wisconsin, running 3:16:45 to win by 50 seconds.
Jane Hedengren broke the national high school record for two miles with a 9:34.12 at the Arcadia Invitational. The previous record of 9:38.68 was set in 2013 by Mary Cain.
Rachel Richeson moved to No. 5 on the world all-time performer list and No. 3 on the U.S. all-time performer list in the women's hammer with a 78.80/258-6 at the Oklahoma Throws World Invitational.
Adam Peterman was the men's winner at the Gorge Waterfalls 100K in Oregon, taking the title by more than five minutes in 7:59:30. The event served as a selector for the 2026 IAU World 100K Championships.
Shea Aquilano won the women's Gorge Waterfalls 100K in Oregon in 9:14:49, more than 19 minutes ahead of the runner-up. The event served as a selector for the 2026 IAU World 100K Championships.
* – all records are subject to verification by the USATF Records Committee
Now in its 24th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week when there are high-level competitions and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2025 Winners: January 15, Zariel Macchia; January 22, Conner Mantz; January 29, Katelyn Tuohy; February 5, Ethan Strand; February 12, Yared Nuguse; February 19, Grant Fisher; February 26, Josh Hoey; March 5, Heather MacLean; March 12, Cole Boone; March 19, Isabella Whittaker; March 26, Claire Bryant; April 2, Curtis Thompson; April 9, Taylor Roe; April 16, Valarie Allman. We welcome your nominations!
To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about their performance to communications@usatf.org.
Join the conversation with USATF on X, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #USATF.
Photo Credit: Audrey Allen