Rathdrum site of big-time throwers event Saturday
Tiny little Rathdrum, Idaho – actually, a plot of land east of Rathdrum – will be the site Saturday afternoon for some of the best throwers across the nation.
The second Iron Wood Throwers elite meet takes place at 1620 Highway 53, east of Rathdrum. Some of the top post-collegiate male and female throwers along with 18 of the top high school throwers will compete in discus, shot put and hammer.
Ferris senior Kirk Unland, who captured the Washington state hammer championship Sunday, will be among the high school competitors.
It’s the only meet in the nation that mixes ex-collegiate throwers with the top high school throwers, director Jarred Rome said. A purse of $15,000 will be divided among the ex-collegiate throwers, many of whom are using the meet as a tune up for the Olympic Trials in early July.
“We’re putting money in the throwers pockets so they can prepare for the Olympics,” Rome said.
The event begins at 12:40 and concludes about 6. The event is free to the public.
“In men’s discus we have eight of top 10 in the country,” Rome said. “The fields are stacked. This is a huge meet. In men’s shot we have five out of the top 10 in the nation.”
There’s no bigger name planning on competing than Stephanie Trafton, who won the gold medal in women’s discus in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics, Rome said. She was the first USA men’s or women’s Olympic gold medalist since Mac Wilkins in 1976.
Other top names include:
“He’s one of the best shot putters in U.S. history,” Rome said. “This is an opportunity for the high school kids to hang out with the Olympians.”