SACRAMENTO, Calif. – University of Hawai'i freshman thrower Haleigh Sudbeck come through to finish in the top eight at the USA Track and Field Junior Championships with her hammer throw performance on Friday in Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium.
 
Appearing as the first UH representative at the meet since 2012, the Washougal, Wash. rookie secured a trip to the finals with a 160-04 (48.88m) on her second throw, going on to hit 161-04 (49.18m) on her final throw, earning eighth place in her first USATF event as a collegiate student-athlete.
 
"I was very proud of Haleigh today, she kept improving throughout the competition and finished higher than she was seeded," throws coach Josh Aydlette said. "She is in elite company to make the Junior National finals and she represented the University and people of Hawai'i proudly. No doubt this is far from her last time on this stage."
 
Friday's competition completes a successful rookie campaign for Sudbeck, who also finished eighth in the event at her first Big West Championships in May.
 
There's still one postseason summer event on the schedule for Hawai'i track, as freshman Alexis Brenzil will compete in the Canadian Track & Field Championships from July 3-9 in Ottawa, Ontario at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility.