WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Amanda Bradford, a Whitman College junior from
Longview, Wash., placed fourth in the javelin event today (Wednesday, May 21) at the NAIA
Outdoor Track & Field championships at Life University in Marietta, Georgia.With a gusting side wind unsettling the competition, Bradford finished fourth with a best throw of 139 feet, three inches. Last year as a sophomore, Bradford set a new Whitman school record when she tossed the javelin 145 feet, one inch to place second at nationals.
Becci Harper, a senior from George Fox University, won her second straight javelin title Wednesday with a best throw of 145 feet, eight inches. That was well off her winning distance (156-11) at last year's national championships.
"Because of the wind, none of the competitors today were able to throw a personal-best distance, or even a season-best distance," Whitman coach Keith Jensen said. "The women's javelin is so light that any kind of wind, especially a side wind, has a significant effect."
Annie Guilliet, an international student at Life University, placed second with a throw of 145 feet, five inches. Jennifer Lunde of North Dakota's Mary College, was third at 139 feet, 10 inches.
Trina Gumm, a senior Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash., finished sixth with a throw of 130 feet, two inches. Gumm won the event as a freshman.
"The level of competition and talent at the national championships continues to get stronger each year," Jensen said.
Bradford also competed as a freshman at nationals, placing third in the javelin that year. Her best throw this season came April 25 on one of the few days this spring not marred by poor weather. She tossed the javelin 143 feet, five inches that day to win the Pelluer Invitational in Cheney, Wash.
Bradford also plays on the women's basketball team at Whitman and has earned all- conference honors in each of her three seasons. Last winter, Bradford was the leading scorer in the Northwest Conference of Independent College.