EUGENE, Ore. — Kara Winger needed only a single throw to finish first in qualifying in the women’s javelin.
The Colorado Springs resident’s mark of 201 feet, 6 inches (61.42 meters) under cloudy skies at Hayward Field at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on Thursday was enough to allow her to pass on her final two throws to save her arm strength for Saturday’s final.
She was shy of her goal of 62 meters — the Olympic qualifying standard. But then again, it’s only her second competition this season.
Winger, whose husband, Russ, attended Pine Creek High School and threw in men’s discus qualifying Thursday, is the American-record holder in the event. She competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing when she was only 22 years old but did not advance past qualifying. Then in 2012, she suffered a torn ACL at the trials and finished second but went to the London Olympics anyway because the Americans didn’t have an alternate. She finished 31st and underwent surgery upon her return.
Now, four years later, it’s the first time they’re at the trials as husband and wife, and they hope to make the Rio-bound team together. Russ Winger’s discus final is Friday.
“I’ve really been trying to make sure this 2016 year is my ‘third time’s the charm, magic No. 3’ Games,” said Winger, 30.
Winger is a native of Vancouver, Wash., . The environment, while conducive for training as a distance runner, is less than ideal for a thrower. Bad weather and altitude make training consistently difficult. But the couple is close to family.
“It’s difficult to roll with the punches in Colorado sometimes,” said Winger, who married Russ in September 2014. “But it’s a great place to live, and it’s great for our relationship and our relationship with his family. So we’ve grown a lot closer just being in that secluded place for four years.”
Winger had left shoulder surgery in the fall — which is opposite her throwing arm — and relied on the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for her medical recovery. That process has proceeded better than expected, partly because her coaches pushed her to gain fitness in ways not traditionally associated with javelin training. For example: She spent weeks on a stationary bike.
When the time came to start throwing again at the beginning of the year — they train at the Olympic Training Center — she threw better than expected.
“I had to figure out how to get my upper-body strength up when I didn’t have the ability to do a lot with my left shoulder all year,” Winger said. “It’s a process that delayed my season more than expected.
“I’m just grateful to be able to show up in Eugene.”
Three Buffs advance in women’s 1500. Jenny Simpson, Sara Sutherland and Sara Vaughn, all former CU Buffs, advanced easily in the women’s 1500. In the field of 27 runners, only three were eliminated. Simpson is the two-time defending U.S. champion in the event and said she was grateful to go through the rounds to get the practice of preparing for big races. Simpson took the lead early and paced the field. Also advancing was former Niwot distance running standout Elise Cranny. The semi-final round takes place on Friday. Current CU runner Ben Saarel — redshirting this track season — was disqualified in his preliminary heat of the 1500 meters. He pulled up in the stretch with a hamstring injury.
Three Coloradans advance in men’s discus. Former Buena Vista thrower Mason Finley qualified for the men’s discus final on Friday with the top qualifying time, throwing 218 feet, 11 inches. Finley, who graduated from the University of Wyoming, is looking to qualify for his first Olympics. Denver resident Lance Brooks and Russ Winger of Colorado Springs — Kara Winger’s husband — also qualified. CU assistant coach Casey Malone finished 13th, missing the final by one spot.
