Sept. 1, 2011
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State volunteer assistant coach Jessica Cosby begins her quest for a world championship Friday when she competes in the hammer throw at the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Track and Field Championships in Daegu, Korea.
A 2008 Olympian, Cosby earned her spot on Team USA by winning the hammer at the USA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., in June. Cosby's throw of 234 feet, 0 inches, was just off her personal-best mark of 238-4, set on May 7 at the Occidental Invitational. The 238-4 is the 10th-best mark in the world this year and is just shy of Erin Gilreath's 2005 American record of 242-4.
"Having Jessica as part of our coaching staff this past year has provided huge benefits to our throws program," SDSU head coach Shelia Burrell said. "She's a wonderful role model who has shown our team that personal dedication, persistence and hard works pays off. The Aztecs are cheering her on to accomplish big things in Daegu."
Cosby will need to finish in the top-12 or eclipse 232-11 in Friday's qualifying flights to move onto Sunday's final. Complete information, including results and competition schedule, can be found at http://daegu2011.iaaf.org/home.aspx. Cosby's USA Track and Field bio can be found at http://www.usatf.org/Athletes/Bios/Cosby_Jessica.asp.