IRON WOOD THROWS CLASSIC: Back, with a lot bigger stakes

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

Three years ago, there was a world record when nobody was watching.

And for the first time since setting a new American record in 2018, two-time Olympian Deanna Price returns in the hammer throw.

No, this isn’t any other Iron Wood Throws Classic.

“It’s probably the best lineup of athletes we’ve had,” Iron Wood Throws Classic meet organizer TJ Crater said. “The men’s hammer throw is filled with members of the world championship teams from the U.S., Canada and Greece. We’ve got Deana, another record holder in the shot put and a world champ in the discus.”

The event is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour, a bronze level meet, where participants can earn placing points.

A gold level meet is considered the Olympic trials, silver for the U.S. Championships, with bronze being the level below that.

Also scheduled to compete is Michael Shuey, a former Olympian in the men's javelin; former World Champion Yaime Perez in the women's discus and former Olympians Payton Otterdahl and Darrell Hill in the men's shot put.

Crater coached the throws at University of Arizona for seven years before coming to the northwest in 2022. Crater, a 1997 graduate of Eastmont High in East Wenatchee, Wash., also competed at the University of Idaho.

“There’s an immense amount of excitement for this weekend,” said Crater, who was born in Bonners Ferry. “I managed the Tucson Elite throws meet for a few years and then used my connections to get back to the northwest. I’m really excited to see this grow and increase the visibility of the event.”

A total $30,000 purse is available for the top four finishers in the shot put, discus, javelin and hammer throw. There is no cost for admission to the meet. Parking is available off Ramsey Road for spectators.

Saturday's events at the Iron Wood Training Center, located of Highway 53 in Rathdrum, begin at noon with the men's hammer, followed by the women's shot put. The women's hammer will take place at 1:30 p.m., followed by the men's shot put. The men's discus begins at 3:30, followed by the women's at 4. The women's javelin is also at 4, with the meet concluding with the men's javelin at 5.

Live results can be found at AthleticTiming.com.

For Crater, the chance to return home was too good to pass up.

“I’ve got a 12-year old daughter that can be around some family,” said Crater, who also coached at Washington. “I’d built a good relationship with (Iron Wood Throws founder) Bart (Templeman) and he was looking for someone to take over the center. We’d made a few calls back and forth and things started to get serious after the last year. When I found that it was a realistic option, it was a great opportunity to continue to build on what Bart has done over the last 30 years here, and continue to move it forward.”

This year, 23 high school athletes between Idaho, Washington and Montana that have been through the Iron Wood Throws Camp, captured state titles in their respective state meets.

“For me, it’s really about helping these kids achieve their goals,” Crater said. “To be a part of that, it’s got a really special place in my heart. I didn’t think an opportunity like this was going to happen after I left Arizona, so I knew I had to jump on it.”

At Idaho, Crater competed in the discus and hammer while the Vandals were a member of the Big West Athletic Conference.

“Once I was done competing, I still had a passion for coaching,” Crater said. “I just love to help others achieve their goals.”