Following first weight throw national title, Price secures first hammer throw championship; Cunningham repeats in high jump, with Saunders soaring to first long jump crown

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

DES MOINES – DeAnna Price offered a hint of the potential success to come with the hammer throw when she won her first women’s weight throw title in February at the USATF Indoor Championships in New Mexico.

“I’ve already had good practices,” Price said with a wry smile. “I don’t believe in jinxing myself, but I’ll let the numbers speak for themselves.”

For the second time in less than a month, the distance the metal ball traveled spoke volumes for Price, who regained the American record from good friend Gwen Berry with a fifth-round throw Saturday of 256 feet, 3 inches (78.12m) at the USATF Outdoor Championships.

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“We’re finally getting things. We’re finally connecting correctly,” said Price, who captured her first title after Amanda Bingson, Amber Campbell, Jessica Cosby and Berry combined to win the past 10 championships.

“It’s just a matter of connecting with the ball and making sure every motion feels in unison. It’s being able to push the ball in the correct form and capitalizing in meet situations.”

It marked the second straight time the USATF Outdoor Championships were held at Drake Stadium that the American record was set in the women’s hammer throw. Bingson, who suffered a broken foot in warmups Saturday, produced a record-setting effort in 2013 with a mark of 248-5 (75.73m).

Price’s performance June 2 at the Iron Wood Classic in Idaho of 254-9 (77.65m) wrestled the record away from Berry, who responded June 6 in Poland with a 255-2 (77.78m) effort to regain the standard.

Berry had a second-round throw of 239-5 (72.99m), but couldn’t keep pace Saturday with Price, who capped the competition with three throws of more than 250 feet.

“I feel like a lot of people’s rhythm was off. It took a while for everyone to find their rhythm,” Berry said. “Everyone was trying so hard and everyone was just a little bit off, but once DeAnna found her rhythm, she went crazy.”

Price elevated to the No. 4 all-time performer with her fifth-round throw, then followed it up with another significant effort in the sixth round. Berry now ranks No. 5 in history, with the two Americans remaining the top two throwers in the world this year.

“Right now, I feel very confident in what I’m doing. I was getting a little frustrated (Saturday) because I didn’t feel as connected as usual,” Price said. “But finally on that one throw in the fifth round, I connected and I knew it was a good throw, but I was thinking 75m or 76m. When it came up 78m, I was immediately very overjoyed, but I was like, ‘You’ve got one more throw to do. You’ve got to do your job,’ and I brought it up with another 77m.”

Vashti Cunningham repeated as national high jump champion with a third-attempt clearance at 6-4.75 (1.95m), completing a sweep of both indoor and outdoor titles for the second year in a row. Inika McPherson finished second by clearing 6-3.50 (1.92m).

“I’m consistently a third-attempt clearer. I don’t plan on making things on the third attempt, ever, I’m always trying to make things on the first attempt, but that’s just how it happens for me. I don’t know why,” Cunningham said. “It’s not even a confidence thing. I’m just telling myself, ‘This is the last one, you have to make it.’”

Cunningham has trips planned to compete in Diamond League events in Rabat and London, along with the IAAF World Cup, also in London, in July, looking to clear 6-6.50 (2.00m) for the first time in her career.

“My goal has just been to remain healthy throughout the whole season and build my mental strength,” Cunningham said. “I feel like a lot of this sport and a lot of my event is mental and that’s where I need to be strong.”

Former Kentucky star Sha’Keela Saunders demonstrated her mental toughness by capturing her first outdoor national title after recovering from a torn hamstring in February.

Saunders had a second-round jump of 21-5.50 (6.54m) into a strong headwind to secure the title after placing fourth at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials and third last year. Former Alabama standout Quanesha Burks took second at 21-4.75 (6.52m) and Georgia graduate Kendell Williams placed third at 21-3.25 (6.48m).

“This is just something great to add to the resume. Hopefully in the future I have bigger jumps, but for now, this is great for where I need to be,” said Saunders, who placed fifth June 10 at a Diamond League competition in Stockholm with a mark of 22-0.50 (6.72m).

“I don’t want it to be just once, I want it to be multiple times and hopefully I have as lengthy a career as the two who are not here today (Brittney Reese and Tianna Bartoletta). I’m back and I’m healthy and I’m just excited to continue my season.”