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Back to 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships Team
Athlete Bio

Kara Winger

Basic Information

Status: Active Gender: Female Age: 39 Date of Birth: 4/10/1986

Athletics Information

Event: Outdoor Track & Field Coach: Dana Marie Lyon Agent: N/A Sponsor: Tracksmith Club: New York Athletic Club

Residences

Hometown: Vancouver, WA High School: Skyview High School College: Purdue University ‘09, Nutrition, Fitness, and Health (Bachelor’s); DeVry University ‘16, Accounting (Master’s)

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9x

National champion

3x

Diamond League meeting winner

2x

In Top 8 World Championships

2x

NACAC champion

1x

World Championships Silver medallist

1x

Pan American Games winner

Olympic Games

  • 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, 17th
  • 2016 Rio Olympic Games, 13th
  • 2012 London Olympic Games, 31st
  • 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, 41st

World Championships

  • 2019 World Outdoor Championships, fifth 
  • 2017 World Outdoor Championships, eighth 
  • 2015 World Outdoor Championships, eighth 
  • 2011 World Outdoor Championships, 11th
  • 2009 World Outdoor Championships, 13th 

Other Career Highlights

  • Previously held American record - 66.67m (American record, 2010)
  • 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, silver (Javelin)
  • 2019 Pan American Games, gold (Javelin)
  • 2019 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships, silver (Javelin)
  • 2018 USATF Outdoor Championships, gold (Javelin)
  • 2018 IAAF Continental Cup, bronze (Javelin)
  • 2017 USATF Outdoor Championships, gold (Javelin)
  • 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, bronze (Javelin)
  • 2015 USATF Outdoor Championships, gold (Javelin)
  • 2015 NACAC Championships, gold (Javelin)
  • 2015 Pan Am Games, silver (Javelin)
  • 2014 USATF Outdoor Championships, gold (Javelin)
  • 2014 IAAF Continental Cup, seventh (Javelin)
  • 2013 USATF Outdoor Championships, bronze (Javelin)
  • 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, silver (Javelin)
  • 2011 USATF Outdoor Championships, gold (Javelin)
  • 2010 USATF Outdoor Championships, gold (Javelin)
  • 2010 IAAF Continental Cup, fifth (Javelin)
  • 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships, silver (Javelin)
  • 2009 USATF Outdoor Championships, gold (Javelin)
  • 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships, fifth (Javelin)
  • 2008 U.S Olympic Trials, gold (Javelin)
  • 2006 USATF Outdoor Championships, ninth (Javelin)
  • 2005 Pan American Junior Championships, silver (Javelin)
  • 2004 USATF Junior (U20) Championships, fourth (Javelin)
  • 2004 USATF Outdoor Championships, (Javelin)
  • 2003 USATF Junior (U20) Championships, sixth (Javelin)

Personal

Her maiden name was Kara Patterson before she married her husband, Russell Winger, who is also an American track and field athlete; he competed at the World Championships in 2015 in the discus. Winger’s longevity in the sport—her career so far spanning four Olympic Games—is chronicled in writing on her blog. She is a public lands advocate, businesswoman, and dog lover.

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