The female throwers, jumpers, and vaulters of Team USA

Sam Fariss wrote this piece on the field eventers on the US team heading to Budapest 2023. 

The female throwers, jumpers, and vaulters of Team USA

By Sam Fariss

The second piece I wanted to write leading up to the Budapest World Athletics Championships focused on female athletes who are qualified to compete in field events for the United States. This will include everything from javelin to pole vault to triple jump and more, so here it goes.

Only one woman holds the world championships standard in the high jump competition for Team USA, Vashti Cunningham. The 25-year-old athlete has previously earned a gold and a silver medal at the indoor world championships as well as a bronze at the 2019 Doha meeting. Cunningham was able to collect a 1st place finish at the USATF championships in July with a best attempt of 1.91 meters, well under her personal best of 2.02 meters from 2021.

Cunningham has been active on social media leading up to Budapest, sharing times with family and friends and celebrating her successes.

“Blessed and highly favored, going to Budapest,” Cunningham shared on Twitter.

Three Americans hold the women’s pole vault standard, including Katie Moon, Olympic and World Champion gold medalist, who earned the world lead of 4.90 meters at the national championships. She will most likely be joined by compatriots Sandi Morris, two-time WC silver medalist,  and Bridgett Williams, who finished second and fourth at USAs. Hana Moll, who finished third, has yet to acquire the WCS in order to represent her country on the world stage.

The women’s long jump competition is arguably one of the United States’ best field events. Six athletes arrived in Eugene with the WCS already. This group included Tara Davis-Woodhall, Quanesha Burks, and Jasmine Moore.

Moore, who turned pro just before the USATF championships, finished third at the meeting, securing her spot on Team USA. She trailed behind Davis-Woodhall, who jumped 6.87 meters to finish in 1st place, and Burks, who jumped 6.82 meters to land herself in second.

This third-place finish was not Moore’s only highlight of the national championships. The 22-year-old also finished in 3rd place in the triple jump competition. Tori Franklin, World Championships bronze medalist, and Keturah Orji, two-time Olympic finalist, rounded out the top three. Franklin, Orji, and Moore all hold the necessary standard.

Another strong suit for the United States comes from the women’s shot put field. Team USA will most likely consist of Maggie Ewen, Adelaide Aquilla, and Chase Ealey. At the Eugene World Championships in 2022, Ealey earned the world title, giving the United States its first gold of the competition, which it later went on to win by 23 total medals.

Lagi Tausaga-Collins was able to obtain the WCS at the national championships with her toss of 65.46 meters in the discus throw, a personal best. Valarie Allman will join her in Budapest, Olympic champion and World Championships bronze medalist.

“WOW! 5TH NATIONAL TITLE!!! Truly thankful and happy to really earn that [ticket] for World Championships!” Allman shared on Instagram following her victory.

While Ewen was able to walk away with the victory in the shot put, she fell short in the hammer throw competition, finishing in 7th place. Nike athletes were able to sweep the podium, with Brooke Andersen finishing in. First, DeAnna Price finished in second, and Janee Kassanavoid finished in third – all three women hold the standard.

There are many more athletes to keep an eye out for as the Budapest World Championships creep closer. Track and field fans are guaranteed a great week of outstanding competition. The only question remaining? If the United States can repeat its dominant performance from 2022.