TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona Track & Field is set to host the Tucson Throws Elite Classic on Thursday and Saturday at Drachman Stadium. The site will also host the USATF Throws Festival on Saturday, which is a meet run by the USATF and will feature some of the top professional throwers, high jumpers, and pole vaulters in the world.
 
The Tucson Throws Elite Classic is scheduled to begin on Thursday and will continue on Saturday morning as needed. The meet includes only throwing events: the hammer, discus, shot put, and javelin. The action will begin at 3:00 p.m. MST on Thursday. Saturday's events will begin at 10:00 a.m. MST if necessary. This competition is separate from the USATF Throws Festival, which will begin on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. MST. Live results can be found here.
 
Last year's USATF Throws Festival was ranked as the best competition in the world in the "special competitions" category by World Athletics. Jordan Geist, Zach Landa, and Diana Ramos will all compete at the USATF event.
 
"We are excited to host the number one specialty competition in the world, as rated by World Athletics in 2023," said Head Coach Fred Harvey. "This year will truly live up to the Tucson Elite Classic standard, as a number of the top throwers, high jumpers, and pole vaulters in the world are entered to compete."
 
Last weekend's Desert Heat Classic served as the last all-team, regular season meet for the Wildcats. On senior night, the throws squad posted multiple personal best performances. Ava David finished fourth in the women's hammer with a personal best throw that moved her up to fourth all-time in school history. In the men's discus, Sam Hala'ufia posted a personal best mark as he finished runner-up in the event. Jared O'Riley placed third in the men's javelin with a season-best throw. Aislin Martinez-Pompa broke her record in the women's javelin to finish fifth. Additionally, Tyler Michelini placed fifth in the men's shot put and Tapenisa Havea finished seventh in the women's.
 
This competition will be the last chance to improve marks before the Pac-12 Championships which begin on May 10 in Boulder, Colo. There are currently eight Wildcat throwers who are projected to score in six events at the Pac-12 Championships: Jesse Avina (fifth javelin), Ava David (fifth hammer), Sam Hala'ufia (fourth discus, eighth shot put), Tapenisa Havea (third shot put), Lauryn Love (eighth shot put), Tyler Michelini (fifth shot put), Jared O'Riley (third javelin), and Michael Ogbeiwi (seventh shot put).
 
A meet recap will be posted here detailing the competition results. Live updates will also be posted to @ArizonaTrack on X.
 
WHO'S COMPETING
MEN
Jesse Avina, Sam Hala'ufia, Youssef Koudssi, Zach Landa, Richard Legarra, Tyler Michelini, Michael Ogbeiwi, Jared O'Riley
 
WOMEN
Haedyn Bambolo, Ava David, Tapenisa Havea, Lauryn Love, Aislin Martinez-Pompa, Mackenna Orie
 
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