Colorado University Athletics
Hallam-Eames Shines at New Zealand Olympic Trials
March 09, 2016 | Track and Field
BOULDER — University of Colorado senior Sophie Hallam-Eames started her outdoor season with a bang, earning a pair of third place finishes at the 2016 New Zealand Track & Field Championships.
Hallam-Eames started her competition in the discus throw, earning her best toss of the series, 139-3 (42.45m), in her first attempt of the season, which put her third.
The hammer throw was her other event and again she took home the bronze medal. Hallam-Eames fouled on her first try, but got a fair throw (155-6/47.40m) on her second attempt. After another foul, she recorded her best mark at 173-0 (52.74m) on the fourth throw. Hallam-Eames tallied a 172-10 (56.69m) mark on her fifth attempt before fouling on the final attempt.
"Sophie has worked extremely hard to make this dream a reality,” CU throws coach Casey Malone said. “Many athletes dream of finishing in the top three at any Olympic Trials and Sophie has done so as her senior season outdoor opener. Not only did she have to persevere through 25 hours of flights but additionally she had to overcome a strong case of food poisoning the night before she competed. It would be enough to just manage the pressures of a major championship that you flew all the way around the world for and the inherent jet lag.
“In spite of those challenges, Sophie managed to have the second best hammer performance of her life and top five discus performance,” Malone continued. “I couldn't be more proud of her both for how she competed but also how she represented the University of Colorado. This experience will help shape and define Sophie's track and field career and her life. I am very grateful to the Athletics Wellington and Athletics New Zealand for all of their support."
The rest of the Buffs will open the outdoor season with the Jerry Quiller Classic, March 18-19, at Potts Field in Boulder.
