Malone’s javelin record earns her USATF Athlete of the Week honors

INDIANAPOLIS -- Bettering the American record in the women’s javelin for the second time this season, Maggie Malone (Vestavia Hills, Alabama) earned recognition as the 24th USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2021. It is her second time to be honored this year. 

Competing at the NSAF JavFest in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Malone sailed the spear out to 67.40m/221-1 on her first attempt to add 58 centimeters to the American record she set at Chula Vista at the end of May. The Olympic Trials champion will make her second Olympic Games appearance at Tokyo on Aug. 3 and enters the Games as the No. 3 thrower in the world in 2021. 

Other top performances from last week:

• Michael Shuey launched the men’s javelin 85.67m/281-1 on his final attempt at JavFest, moving to No. 4 on the all-time U.S. performer list.
• Josette Norris took over the No. 9 spot on the all-time U.S. women’s 1,500m performer list with her 3:59.72 at the Sound Running Sunset Tour.
• Colby Alexander won the men’s 1,500m at the Sound Running Sunset Tour with a PR 3:33.65, the second-fastest time by an American this year.
• Valarie Allman had the fifth-best throw in U.S. women’s history, winning the discus at Chula Vista with a 68.13m/223-6.
• Keturah Orji equaled the No. 9 performance in American women’s triple jump history with a 14.57m/47-9.75 at Chula Vista. Orji’s winning mark of 14.71m/48-3.25 was wind-aided.

Now in its 20th 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. 

2021 Winners: January 21, KC Lightfoot; January 28, Ryan Crouser; February 4, Bryce Hoppel; February 11, Athing Mu; February 18, Elle Purrier; February 25, Jaylen Slade; March 4, Grant Holloway; March 11, Emmanuel Bor; March 18, Tara Davis; March 25, Emily Sisson; April 1, Tara Davis; April 8, Kenny Selmon; April 15, DeAnna Price; April 22, Athing Mu; April 29, Rudy Winkler; May 6, Trayvon Bromell; May 13, Sha’Carri Richardson; May 20, Athing Mu; May 27, Ryan Crouser; June 3, Maggie Malone; June 10, Trayvon Bromell; June 24, Ryan Crouser; July 1, Sydney McLaughlin; July 21, Maggie Malone. 

We welcome your nominations! 

To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about his/her performance to communications@usatf.org. 

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