EUGENE, Ore. – Former Indiana State All-American Erin Reese made her time at the 2024 US Olympic Trials memorable, placing third in the hammer throw Sunday evening at Hayward Field.
 
Reese put together her best throw of finals when it mattered most, as her last attempt went 71.21m (233-07) to vault her into the top three and earn bronze. She finished higher than four athletes ranked in the top 25 in the world in the event, including two of the top three ranked hammer throwers in the world.
 
One of just two athletes in the field to record a mark on all six of her attempts, Reese had each of her throws traveling at least 67 meters. Reese's marks in finals were 68.06m (223-03), 68.76m (225-07), 69.26m (227-03), 68.90m (226-00), 67.27m (220-08) and 71.21m (233-07).
 
Reese qualified for finals via a Friday qualifying session, in which she was sixth out of 24 competitors with a mark of 70.82 (232-04). Her other mark in qualifying came in at 68.62m (225-01), with both of her recorded marks being good enough to advance to Sunday's final.
 
Sunday's performance continued a trend for Reese, who has seen her best performances of the season come in her most recent meets. Her top three marks of the 2023-24 season have come in her last three meets, recording marks of 71.46m (234-05) at the Sycamore Open in April, 71.42m (234-04) at the Billy Hayes Invitational in Bloomington in May and 71.21m (233-07) Sunday at the US Olympic Trials.
 
Reese does not currently have the Olympic standard for auto-qualification in the event, which is 74.00m. However, there is still a possibility that Indiana State's discus and hammer throw record holder will make Team USA for the 2024 Olympics. Reese can qualify through the world rankings, which will be finalized following the Olympic qualifying season.
 
Should she qualify through the world rankings, Reese would be the second former Sycamore All-American thrower to earn an Olympic spot, joining Mary Theisen-Lappen. Theisen-Lappen represent Team USA in weightlifting in Paris, having already qualified in the sport.  
 
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