CLOVIS — Jaslene Massey broke the U.S. high school girls' discus record with a throw of 196 feet, 4 inches at the CIF state track and field championships in California. The mark surpassed the previous meet record of 186 feet, 9 inches set by Anna Jelmini of Shafter in 2009 and stands as the farthest discus throw ever by a girl in a U.S. high school competition.
Massey defended her state title in discus and also won gold in shot put with a throw of 52 feet, 9 inches. She is the national leader in both disciplines. Her record-breaking discus throw occurred during a competition held on an auxiliary field that concluded before the track events began.
After her record-setting throw, Massey screamed, "Let’s go! Three more!" She later received a standing ovation on the victory stand approximately half an hour after the throw. "My goal was for the gold first, then the mark," said Jaslene Massey. "I always dreamed of this and I wouldn’t be here without my support system."
Massey’s final discus attempt measured 192 feet, 6 inches, though her record was set on an earlier throw. While her mark is the best ever in a U.S. high school meet, it falls short of the American junior record of 198 feet, 9¼ inches set by Shelbi Vaughan of Mansfield Legacy High in Texas in 2012. Massey will continue her athletic career at the University of Oregon and may compete in hammer and javelin in addition to discus.