SE Illinois News

The weather was different, the country was different, but for former Southern Illinois University (SIU) Saluki DeAnna Price, the outcome was pretty much the same, even if she argues she could have done even better.

Price was a member of the American contingent that took part in the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) World Championships in London recently. She finished in ninth place in the hammer throw and was the only American thrower to advance to the finals. 

Throwers had to either finish in the top 12 positions in the qualifier or record a throw of at least 71.50 meters. On her second throw of the meet, Price recorded a mark of 72.78 meters. 

In an interview with USA Track and Field, Price said the qualifying round was made more difficult by the weather.

“It was a little hard because the rain started coming," Price said. "Whenever the rain hits you, there’s that mental game that you have to play. Honestly, during practice back home, it was 102 degrees.”

Price said she didn't feel like she had done as well as she could have in the finals.

“They call it growing pains,” she said. “You’ve just got to go through it. You’ve got to grin; you’ve got to bear it; you’ve got to move through. You haven’t heard the last of me, that’s for sure.”

While at SIU, Price won two NCAA titles in the hammer throw and has since competed at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Price's former college classmate and fellow thrower Gwen Berry joined her at the IAAF games but struggled, throwing 65.09 meters in her first attempt and 69.12 in her second.

SIU sprinter Warren Hazel ran the 400 meters at the London event, representing the island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Hazel reached the semifinal and finished in eighth. He also had a good year for SIU, finishing in 14th in the 400 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He was the lone representative of St. Kitts and Nevis at the world championships.