Jelmini makes discus final at national meet

EUGENE, Ore. -- Barely out of high school, Anna Jelmini already is competing with the nation's best.

Jelmini, a Shafter High graduate, made the final of the discus throw at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday night at Hayward Field.

Jelmini finished seventh in a field that included Olympic gold medalist Stephanie Brown-Trafton and American-record holder Suzy Powell. Jelmini's best mark was 187 feet, 9 inches, two and a half feet short of her national high school record 190-3.

Brown-Trafton won the event at 210-9, and Powell -- who previously owned the high school record -- was fifth at 197-10.

Jelmini became one of the eight women in the final with a 185-11 throw on her last qualifying attempt. She popped off the 187-9 with her second-to-last throw in the final.

She competes in the junior national championships in the shot put today and in the discus Saturday.