Kassanavoid’s hammer win earns her USATF Athlete of the Week honors

INDIANAPOLIS — Winning the USATF Throws Festival in Tucson with a lifetime best in the women’s hammer, Janee’ Kassanavoid (Kansas City, Missouri/USATF Missouri Valley) earned recognition as the 20th USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2022.
 
Kassanavoid added almost four feet to her personal best with a 78.00m/255-11 throw in the third round and moved to No. 3 on the all-time U.S. performer list, behind only 2019 world champion DeAnna Price and 2022 world leader Brooke Andersen. After opening her series with a 74.88m/245-8, Kassanavoid improved to a lifetime best 77.17m/253-2 in the next round and then unleashed her winning throw in round three. She beat Andersen by 10 inches, her first career win over the 2020 Olympic Games 10th-place finisher.
 
Other top performances from last week:

• Michelle Rohl had the best age-graded time at the women's USATF Masters 1 Mile Championships in Rochester, New York, grading out at 97.07% with her 5:12 win in the 55-59 division. Her time also bettered the American Masters record.
• Nat Larson topped the men's age-graded results at the USATF Masters 1 Mile Championships. His 4:50 in the 55-59 division earned him a 95.55% grading.
• Juliette Whittaker became only the second high school woman to break the 2:00 barrier in the 800m, clocking 1:59.80 to win the Track Night NYC race. Her time also makes her the No. 5 all-time US U20 performer.
• Cade Flatt ran 1:46.51 in the men's 800m at Track Night NYC, the No. 2 performance in high school history. He is now the No. 8 all-time US U20 performer.
• Sam Mattis had the longest men's discus throw by an American since 2018, winning the USATF Throws Festival at 68.69m/225-4.

Now in its 21st 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.
 
2022 Winners: January 10, Alicia Monson; January 17, Keira D’Amato; January 24, Nyckoles Harbor; January 31, Elle Purrier St. Pierre; February 7, Chris Nilsen; February 14, Grant Fisher; February 21, Camille Herron; February 28, Cole Hocker; March 7, Grant Fisher; March 14, Randolph Ross; March 21, Grant Holloway; March 28, Anna Hall; April 4, Natalie Cook; April 11, Valarie Allman; April 18, Gabby Thomas; April 25, Robyn Stevens; May 2, Erriyon Knighton; May 9, Emily Sisson; May 16, Britton Wilson; May 23, Janee’ Kassanavoid.
 
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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