Really, it only took one throw for West Linn incoming senior Hayden Williams-Downing to crown herself as the No. 1 high school javelin thrower in the country.
On Saturday, competing as a member of the Super Thrower Track Club, Williams-Downing recorded a throw of 157 feet, one inch in her first attempt at the 2024 American JavFest in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It was good for the lead after the first round of competition and it was good for the national crown as Williams-Downing won gold at the event.
The 2024 American JavFest saw the Nike Outdoor Nationals champion (Williams-Downing) pit against the Adidas Outdoor Nationals champion (Eliza King of South Carolina) and the New Balance Outdoor Nationals champion (Sophia Mazzoni of Pennsylvania). Mazzoni finished third at JavFest with a throw of 152.10 in the fifth round, while King was fourth with 151-00. Second place went to Sophia Scott of Nebraska, who threw 154-00 and was fifth at Nike Outdoors.
Williams-Downing’s later five throws were not as good, with a 153-10 in the sixth round being her second best of the day.
Still technically in her junior season, Williams-Downing has been one of the fastest-rising stars in track and field this year. As a sophomore, she had a season-best mark of 140-02 and finished third at state. As a junior, she opened the season with a 162-09 and took the national lead.
Williams-Downing’s personal best of 165-07 has her at No. 6 all-time in Oregon high school history. The state record of 181-02 was set by Gresham’s Haley Crouser in 2012.
Williams-Downing has also finished every track meet this year at the top of the podium where her competition was high schoolers. The only time she finished below gold was at the USATF U20 Championships, where she was fourth (155-03) and finished below three collegiate athletes. The winner of the 2024 USATF U20 championships was Bucknell’s Evelyn Bliss (168-01).
-- Nik Streng, nstreng@oregonian.com, @NikStreng