June 26, 2010

DES MOINES, Iowa - Former Purdue track and field standout Kara Patterson launched herself on to the world stage Friday night, winning the USA Track and Field Championships, held at Drake University Stadium, and smashing the American record in the women's javelin. Her throw of 66.67 meters (218-08) is now the No. 3 mark in the world in 2010 and tops the previous American mark, set by Kim Kreiner in 2007, by more than two meters.

Patterson had already put together one of the best series of her life, hurling 62.61 meters (205-05) on her third throw and improving to 62.80 meters (206-00) on her fifth throw, which would have been good for third all-time in American history. However, the night wasn't finished as she extended the mark, which would earn her third straight national championship, to 66.67 meters and earned a spot in our nation's history. The mark is also good for the 13th-longest in the international history of the women's javelin, since the implement increased in weight in 1999.

Currently training and competing out of the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., Patterson owns the richest women's javelin sports contract in U.S. history courtesy of Asics. She's looking to break into the Diamond League Series, which is the track and field-equivalent of a professional sports regular season, and hopes to return to the 2012 London Olympic Games after representing the U.S. in 2008 in Beijing.

Patterson still owns the Boilermakers' and Big Ten Championship record in the javelin at 61.56 meters (202-00), which is the second-longest collegiate throw in history, and was a two-time All-American at Purdue. She also earned three Big Ten Championships, was named the Big Ten Women's Field Athlete of the Year in 2008 and 2009, and the Big Ten Women's Field Athlete of the Championships in 2008.

For more on Patterson, read the following articles:

SI.com - Felix, Patterson Take Opposite Paths To National Championships

Printer-friendly format	Email this article

Purdue Boilermakers