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July 24, 2012
In the final weeks before the London Olympics, many of America's finest athletes are putting in their final preparations at the official USA Track & Field training camp in Birmingham. Several top sprinters, middle distance runners, throwers and jumpers took to the track on Monday morning for their training sessions and Flotrack was there to capture their practice just four days before the Opening Ceremonies on Friday.
Rachel first excelled as a three-sport star at Newburg High School in Oregon competing in softball, volleyball and throwing the javelin on the track team. Upon graduation from high school, Rachel chose to attend the University of Oregon on a volleyball/track dual scholarship. The summer following her senior year of high school, Rachel competed in, and won, both the USA Junior and Pan Am Junior Championships.
Following her freshman season at Oregon, Rachel chose to focus on her fast developing ability to throw the javelin. As junior in 2008, Rachel won her first NCAA title in Des Moines, Iowa. Later that season, she finished also finished third at the USA Olympic Trials. In 2009, Rachel won her second consecutive women's javelin title at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships with a commanding series of throws that culminated in a school and Pac-10 record of 59.62m/195-7.
After the collegiate season had concluded, Rachel finished runner-up at the USA Championships and qualified for the World Championships. At Worlds, she became the first American woman to qualify for the javelin final since Karin Smith finished 10th in 1983. She went on to finish 12th with a throw of 51.15 meters/167-9. Rachel finished her career as a three-time NCAA West Region champion and holder of team and conference records in the event at 191-1. She was also the first person in school history to win three Pac-10 Championships in the same event.
In 2010, Rachel once again had an excellent season as she repeated as USA runner-up and picked up a win in Rabat. After the season, Rachel took a long break from throwing the javelin and used the time away to try and gain some perspective. She is coached by Don Babbitt, the renowned throws coach at the University of Georgia who has mentored 35 athletes to the Olympics and World Championships.
Together, they have worked together on shifting her focus to being competitive and technically sound while letting the distances come naturally.
This past season, Rachel opened her season at the Elite Throwers meet in Tuscon where she came in first. At last year'ÃÂÃÂs USA Outdoor Championships, Rachel finished second for the third year in a row and earned the second World Championship berth of her career. Rachel is looking to have a big season in 2012 and represent the USA at the Olympic Games in London.
Nike
Newberg Senior High School (OR)
University of Oregon
October 10, 1986
Newberg, OR, United States
Don Babbitt
Javelin: 61.06
2012 Olympian, 3-time USA Championships Runner-up, 2011 World Championships Qualifier, 2009 World Championships Finalist, 2005 USA Junior Champion, 2-time NCAA Champion, Pac-10 Record Holder, University of Oregon Record Holder
