The American record for the women’s hammer throw in the 40-44 age division officially belongs to Amy Haapanen.
The 2002 East Union graduate and NCAA All-American out of UC Santa Barbara left no doubt Sunday at American River College during the USA Track & Field Masters Outdoor Championships, winning with a toss of 58.06 meters (190 feet, 6 inches). In fact, all six of her attempts were the six best across all three women’s age groups, including 35-39 and 45-49.
Haapanen blew past the old record by nearly a full meter. Oneithea Lewis set the previous mark of 57.08 (187-03) in 2005. Haapanen had already eclipsed that measurement three times, most recently in the SoCal Jim Bush Championships on June 9 with a 57.99 (190-03). She applied to be named as the new record holder, but it was still under review leading up to the USATF Masters meet.
Haapanen will next compete in the World Masters Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden on Aug. 17. She enters the meet as the top seed in her division.
Iryna Sekachova of Ukraine is the world record holder in the age group at 67.57 (2014). Haapenen’s all-time best of 70.63 (231-08) was set in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.