Maggie Malone Hardin Breaks Javelin Throw Record at Olympic Trials

Two-time Olympian Maggie Malone Hardin couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw how far she had thrown the javelin on her first throw.

Malone Hardin set a new meet record by throwing 211 feet, 10 inches Sunday at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials at Hayward Field. She beat her previous record of 208-4, which she set in 2021.

“I couldn’t believe I threw over 64 (meters, 210 feet),” she said. “And I told Kara (Winger) this: ‘I’m not throwing 64 if she’s not here.'”

The winger, who retired earlier this month, shot 206-6 on her sixth attempt to take second place but fell short of the Olympic standard or the five competitions required to qualify.

Malone Hardin said she thought it would take more than 210 to win because she thought Winger would get there. Winger, a native of Vancouver, Wash., is a nine-time national champion and the 2022 world silver medalist.

“She elevates the sport,” Malone Hardin said. “That’s the goat. I told him when I hugged him, I was like, ‘You’re my idol. You’re the first javelin video I ever watched.’

“I tried so hard to be like her. She paved the way and she’s such an inspiration. Seeing her win a world medal inspires me to do more too.”

Malone Hardin fouled his second and fourth throws but held on to the lead with his second-best 209-0 on his sixth attempt.

Although Malone Hardin finished 10th at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 25th at the 2016 Rio Games, she said this time around she really wanted to get a medal.

“If that’s God’s plan for me, great,” she said. “If not, I accept that, but I feel more prepared than in the past. Now all I have to do is concentrate and do my best. »

Edith Noriega is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. You can reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X at @Noriega_Edith.