Aug. 25, 2015
BEIJING - Former San Diego State track and field standout Whitney Ashley finished ninth in the discus throw in the finals of the IAAF World Championships today in Beijing.
Ashley, who was second at the USA Outdoor Championships in June, had a best throw of 200 feet, 3 inches (61.05 meters) today on her third and final attempt. Ashley, who just missed qualifying for the true final (top 8), which would have gotten her three more throws, was 11th after the qualification stages on Sunday with a mark of 199-09 (60.88m).
Ashley won the 2012 NCAA title in the discus while competing for the Aztecs.
Ashley's ninth-place finish in the discus marks a successful world championship meet for former SDSU athletes. Shanieka Thomas also advanced to a final, coming in 11th in the triple jump yesterday.
Current San Diego State track and field assistant coach Greg Garza later coaches USA men's discus champion Jared Schuurmans. The qualification stages gets underway at 6:30 p.m. PDT Wednesday and 7:50 p.m. PDT Wednesday with the final set for 4:50 a.m. PDT on Saturday. To follow Schuurmans' progress, click
here.
15th IAAF World Championships
Beijing, China
(All dates/times PDT)
Discus Throw
Final (out of 12 entrants)
1. Denia Caballero (Cuba) - 227-03 (69.28m)
9. Whitney Ashley (USA) - 200-03 (61.05m)