TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Another Hoosier athlete is heading to Paris!
Erin Reese posted Friday that she will be part of Team USA in the Summer Olympics, our partners at the Tribune-Star reported. Reese placed third in the women's hammer throw at last month's track and field trials in Oregon.
Reese, a Terre Haute resident who graduated from Indiana State University, had a best throw of 71.21 meters at the trials. While she was expected to make the team with her finish in the trials, Reese said there was a possibility another thrower who had already reached the Olympic standard of 74 meters could make the team. That competitor finished behind Reese at the trials.
But Reese, 28, confirmed Friday in a Facebook post that she had made the team.
"I could not be more proud of the fight I put up to be in this situation," Reese wrote. "The U.S. women’s hammer is exploding with talent and it is a honor to represent them on this stage."
She said in the post a throw of 72.10 meters at a meet in Canada Sunday secured her spot on Team USA, alongside Annette Echikunwoke and DeAnna Price, who finished in the top two spots at the U.S. trials.
According to the Tribune-Star, Reese is the first ISU athlete to compete in the Summer Olympics since Indianapolis' Felisha Johnson, who finished 14th in the women's shot put in the Rio Games eight years ago.
The opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics is July 26. Qualifications for the women's hammer throw are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 4, with the finals slated for Tuesday, Aug. 6.