Haugh and Winkler join Dutch record holder Comenentia in men’s competition, with Andersen and Kassanavoid squaring off in women’s matchup; Malone and Thompson lead javelin fields, Otterdahl looks to add to shot put success, with Jamaican stars Campbell, Dacres and Thomas-Dodd also entered

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

A pair of elite hammer throw matchups highlight the annual USATF Throws Festival on Saturday at Roy P. Drachman Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.

Daniel Haugh and Rudy Winkler, both 80-meter competitors, headline the men’s field along with Dutch record holder Denzel Comenentia, with global medalists Brooke Andersen and Janee’ Kassanavoid both entered in the women’s competition, in addition to fellow American athlete Annette Echinkunwoke and Chinese athletes Zheng Wang and Jie Zhao.

WATCH LIVE WEBCAST MAY 4 OF MAIN FEED OF USATF THROWS FESTIVAL WITH RUNNERSPACE+PLUS | WATCH HAMMER THROW AND SHOT PUT FEED | WATCH DISCUS THROW AND JAVELIN THROW FEED | WATCH HIGH JUMP AND POLE VAULT FEED

Winkler prevailed last year in Arizona with a 265-4 (80.88m) performance, with Comenentia taking third at 255-11 (78.01m). Winkler also won in 2022 with a 257-7 (78.51m) effort and Haugh finished third at 255-8 (77.94m).

Andersen triumphed last season in Tucson with a mark of 263 feet (80.17m) and Kassanavoid produced a throw of 251-3 (76.60m) to secure second, followed by Echikunwoke at 246 feet (75.00m).

Kassanavoid was victorious in Arizona in 2022 with a 255-11 (78.00m) performance, ahead of Andersen at 255-1 (77.75m), with Echinkunwoke placing fourth with a mark of 238-3 (72.62m).

Payton Otterdahl, following a pair of victories last week at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, leads the men’s shot put field, which also includes Jamaican standout Rajindra Campbell.

Otterdahl was second last year in Tucson at 70-7.25 (21.52m) behind New Zealand star Tom Walsh and his 71-8.75 (21.86m) performance, with Adrian Piperi taking third at 70-5.25 (21.47m).

Walsh also won in Arizona in 2022 with a mark of 70-10.50 (21.60m), but he is not scheduled to compete again Saturday, creating an opportunity for the first American athlete to prevail at the meet since Ryan Crouser in 2021.

Danniel Thomas-Dodd, the Jamaican record holder in the women’s shot put, headlines the competition that also includes American competitors Adelaide Aquilla, Jessica Woodard and Jessica Ramsey.

Thomas-Dodd finished fourth last year in Arizona with a 61-7 (18.77m) effort, with Canadian standout and reigning World Indoor gold medalist Sarah Mitton winning with a mark of 64-3 (19.58m).

Thomas-Dodd edged Mitton for victory in 2022 by a 64-1 (19.53m) to 63-10.50 (19.47m) margin.

Woodard was the last American female athlete to win in Tucson in 2021 with a 61-10.25 (18.85m) performance.

Curtis Thompson seeks back-to-back victories in the men’s javelin, leading a deep field that includes 11 competitors with 80-meter performances.

Thompson triumphed last season with a 260-3 (79.34m) effort, holding off Iceland’s Sindri Gudmundsson at 252-9 (77.05m).

Both athletes are expected to throw, in addition to Belgian standout Timothy Herman, plus American competitors Michael Shuey and Tim Glover, who secured victory in 2022 in Arizona with a throw of 271-8 (82.81m).

Marc Anthony Minichello of Georgia and Baylor’s Chinecherem “Prosper” Nnamdi are also scheduled to compete ahead of their respective conference championships next week.

Maggie Malone, who won the javelin last year in Arizona, has returned following a 204-4 (62.28m) performance.

Texas A&M standout Lianna Davidson, representing Australia, and Nebraska’s Maddie Harris are also scheduled to throw, as well as Canadian competitor Liz Gleadle and American athlete Ariana Ince.

Fedrick Dacres from Jamaica, runner-up in Tucson last season in the men’s discus competition at 214-10 (65.48m), leads a strong field that also includes American standouts Reggie Jagers III, Brian Williams and Turner Washington.

Nigerian standout Chioma Onyekwere, a Maryland graduate, is the top entry in the women’s discus competition, which also includes American performers Gabi Jacobs and Elena Bruckner.

Vashti Cunningham, who triumphed last week at Penn Relays, seeks another high jump victory in Arizona after clearing 6-5.50 (1.97m) last year.

Darius Carbin, who cleared 7-2.25 (2.19m) last season in Tucson, is expected to return in pursuit of back-to-back victories in a men’s high jump field that also includes Canadian standout Django Lovett, Mexico’s Roberto Vilches, Jamaica’s Lushane Wilson and Indian athletes Sarvesh Kushare and Tejaswin Shankar.

Zach Bradford and Luke Winder highlight the men’s pole vault field, with fellow American athletes Emily Grove and Rachel Baxter scheduled to compete in the women’s pole vault.