EUGENE — Kara Patterson’s Hayward Field winning streak came to an end.
The Skyview High School graduate finished sixth in the women’s javelin against a world-class field at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday afternoon in a Diamond League track and field meet at Hayward Field.
Patterson, who holds the U.S. record at 218-feet, 8-inches, threw her best mark of 191-7 on her second attempt and then fouled on her final four throws.
“I was second-guessing myself a little bit,” Patterson said. “I felt great in warmups, but my timing didn’t really hold up in competition. That’s frustrating, I felt like I could have changed something.”
German Christina Obergfoll threw a season-best 214-10 to win the event while Mariya Abakumova was second at 214-3. Martina Ratej, who has the top mark in the world this year, was fourth in the eight-woman field at 200-8.
“Every one of the worlds best javelin throwers were here, so I am happy that I beat them,” Obergfoll said.
Patterson won her previous three trips to Hayward Field in the 2008 Olympic Trials, 2009 USA Championships, and last year’s Pre Classic when she set the meet and field record at 216-2.
“I wanted to win,” Patterson said. “I have won all three times I’ve been here and I wanted to keep that streak going, but I am kind of happy my meet record didn’t get broken.”
Patterson is the three-time defending national champion in the javelin and will look for four straight later this month back at Hayward Field.
“I am a little frustrated with today, but it is nice to know I have a different focus this year,” she said. “Last year I got hurt a lot in training and didn’t really have a huge goal for the summer. It was my first year training in San Diego and I wanted to see how the season went and it went awesome. This year my goals are a lot more focused toward the end of the summer, so I am fine about right now.”
Patterson is scheduled to compete in New York next week as she continues to train toward the national meet June 23-26.
“I feel great for (USAs),” Patterson said. “We are going to train a bit more until the end. I know my body is not quite where it should be but I am confident and looking for a bit more. I love throwing here, my family can watch me. The Hayward headwind doesn’t really bother me, that was not the issue today.”
