Danniel Thomas-Dodd secured the first victory as part of a potential weekend sweep in the women’s shot put with her performance Thursday night at the Tucson Elite Classic at Roy P. Drachman Stadium at the University of Arizona.
Thomas-Dodd, the Jamaican national record holder, prevailed with a fourth-round effort of 62 feet, 8.50 inches (19.11m), one of three marks in her series surpassing 60 feet.
Thomas-Dodd will look to earn another win Saturday night at the USATF Throws Festival in Tucson, trying to achieve back-to-back victories at the annual May event following her 61-11 (18.87m) performance last year.
Abby Moore, an American competitor, placed second in the shot put Thursday with a sixth-round mark of 59-10.50 (18.25m).
The top three performers in the women’s hammer throw all produced their best efforts in the sixth round Thursday, with Shelby Moran achieving a winning mark of 233-8 (71.22m) to hold off fellow American athlete Jalani Davis at 231-10 (70.68m).
Anna Purchase, representing Great Britain, took third with a throw of 230-3 (70.20m).
Justin Stafford opened the men’s hammer throw with a 247-8 (75.50m) performance on his first attempt, with fellow American competitor Tanner Berg securing runner-up with a second-round effort of 247-3 (75.38m).
Daniel Haugh, another U.S. standout who won the hammer competition last year in Tucson at the USATF Throws Festival, took third Thursday at 246-9 (75.22m) and will look to improve in Saturday’s elite field.
Andrew Evans triumphed in the men’s discus throw field with a third-round mark of 211-6 (64.48m), with fellow American athlete Mitchell Weber placing second at 200-9 (61.20m).
Daniel McArthur was victorious in the men’s shot put with a second-round effort of 67-0.50 (20.43m), with fellow American competitor Myles Kerner finishing runner-up at 64-11.50 (19.80m).
Ariana Ince only needed one fair mark in the women’s javelin throw, as the U.S. athlete prevailed with a 174-7 (53.22m) performance in the third round.
A trio of Mexican standouts highlighted the men’s javelin throw competition, with David Ocampo winning following a third-round effort of 241-2 (73.51m).
Carlos Armenta was second with an opening-round performance of 235-3 (71.71m), just ahead of third-place Josue Menendez Bejarano at 235-2 (71.69m).
All eight throwing events will be contested again starting at 10 a.m. MST Saturday morning as part of the Tucson Elite Classic at Roy P. Drachman Stadium, before the USATF Throws Festival begins at 2 p.m. MST.
– Erik Boal
