Elite Field Events Showcase

June 5, 2010

I had the pleasure to witness some world-class athletic competition today right here in Missoula.  The 2nd annual elite field events showcase took place this afternoon at Dornblaser Field.

The event is designed to promote track and field in Montana and it hosted some of the top athletes in the world in the events of women’s pole vault, men’s javelin and men’s discus.

It was a real treat to cover these field stars who were vaulting 15 feet, throwing discs nearly 200 feet and throwing javelins over 260 feet

Florida State alum Lacy Janson won the first event in women’s pole vault by clearing 15 feet 1 inch.  Also competing were Montana products in Melinda Owens (Polson) and K.C. Dahlgren (Missoula Big Sky).

2-time Olympian Vikas Gowda took home first in the discus with a throw of just over 199 feet.  In javelin it was a great day for former Georgia Bulldog Chris Hill; Hill posted the top four throws in the event, including a winning toss of 262 feet… that throw going against a small breeze I might add.

It was a great event and for the first time in days the weather was actually very accommodating with sun and warmth all day.  It’s definitely an awesome opportunity to see world class athletes and Olympians compete, the showcase plans to add another event next year.