June 9, 2011
DES MOINES, Iowa -
Leigh Petranoff continues to add on to her stellar collegiate career, as the junior thrower earned All-America honors in the women's javelin at the 2011 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa. Petranoff finished the event in sixth place with a mark of 162-01.
Head track and field coach Elvis Forde was pleased with Petranoff's performance and excited that her hard work has paid off.
"Leigh had one of the top throws in her career to advance to the finals," said Forde. "She got on the board, made consistent throws and was able to make things happen. It was fun to see her do such a good job. Since she was sixth and finished in the top-eight, she is an All-American and got to get on the podium to be recognized. Leigh is one of the best in the Missouri Valley Conference and in the country, making her very deserving of this honor. Hard work is key and it has paid off for her."
Petranoff opened the competition with a throw of 150-01, but came back stronger in her second attempt with a throw of 162-01. In her final attempt of the trials round, Petranoff recorded a toss of 161-01. After qualifying for the finals, Petranoff fouled in all three attempts, but her second throw was enough to earn her All-America honors.
Petranoff, a three-time MVC champion in the javelin, earned her spot in the NCAA Championships with a throw of 163-04, which is a school record, and a seventh-place finish at the West Regional in Eugene, Ore.
Brittany Smith is the final Redbird to compete at the NCAA Championships. Smith will compete in the hammer throw Friday, June 10, at 3 p.m.
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