DES MOINES, Iowa — Vancouver’s Kara Patterson has shattered the American record in the javelin, setting the mark with a toss of 218 feet, 9 inches.
Patterson, a 2004 graduate of Skyview High School, made the record-setting throw on her final attempt Friday at the USA Outdoor Track and Field championships.
Kim Kreiner set the old mark of 210-7 in 2007.
Barbara Spotakova of the Czech Republic holds the world record of 237-1, which she set in 2008.
Patterson, who won the Olympic trials in 2008, threw 34 feet longer than the runner-up, Rachel Yurkovich.
To view Patterson’s record throw, click on this link http://www.usatf.org/events/2010/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/video.asp and then click on javelin to the left.
