Stephanie Brown Trafton eyes national title

Stephanie Brown Trafton is the best discus thrower in the world.

She's got an Olympic gold medal, is currently ranked No. 1 in the world and has the best mark across the globe this year.

On Thursday, she'll be throwing for a title she's never earned before — U.S. discus champion.

Brown Trafton, a Galt resident, will be going for her first national victory at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore.

In addition to be a national champion, she's aiming to finish in the top three so she can represent the U.S. at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin in August.

"I am hoping I can get a national championship, but my priority is to make it to the world championships and medal at the world championships," Brown Trafton said.

If her results this year are any indication of how nationals will go, Brown Trafton's got a good chance of winning.

Throwing for a national title

What: Stephanie Brown Trafton, a Galt resident and the 2008 discus Olympic gold medalist, is headed to the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships.
When: Thursday at 6:45 p.m.
Where: Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore.
Seed: Brown Trafton's mark of 217 feet, 2 inches is the best in the U.S. and world going into the event. It is also a personal record.
What's at stake: Her first U.S. national title as well as earning a spot to represent the U.S. at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin in August. She has to finish in the top three to qualify for the world championships.

She's ranked No. 1 entering the event with a mark of 217 feet, 2 inches. That throw not only won her the Pacific Championships title in May, but it is also the best mark in the world to date. It's also the best of her career.

Brown Trafton, who stands at 6-foot-4, had another titanic throw before last year's national championships, winning the Salinas meet with a then world-best and personal record of 212-1. She was rated No. 1 headed into nationals, but finished third. It wasn't good enough for the win, but it was still good enough to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

"It was a very stressful meet. I put a lot of stress on making the Olympic team," she said. "This year there is not as much stress (because it is not an Olympic-qualifying year)."

Other than her Pacific Championships title, the former Cal Poly star has picked up wins in the Reebox Grand Prix on May 30 (209-10) and the Nike Prefontaine Classic on June 7 (209-11).

Outside of her usual weight training and intensive practice schedule, Brown Trafton has added Tai Chi to her training regime. She took up the form of the Chinese martial arts in February. She is studying the specific discipline of Sun, which is geared around athleticism. She said it has helped with her balance and energy levels, as well as making her more athletic.

"I like it. It is very relaxing and centering," she said. "I do it in hotel before meets. Even if I don't get it done at home, I take it on the road with me."

Another contributor to Brown Trafton's success is an elevated confidence level. Her repeated top finishes have helped her realize she can compete with, and beat, the best throwers around.

"I have been able to have more confidence this year knowing that when I go out to throw, even on a bad day I can throw over 200 feet consistently," she said.

Being the No. 1 seed for a long period of time, from the Olympics to now, is a new feeling for Brown Trafton. Other discus throwers are gunning for her and want to steal her No. 1 ranking.

"I didn't know how I would react to being No. 1 this year and having to uphold that standard. I have always been the underdog who is trying to prove something, but I still have something to prove," she said. "I still have an urge to be the best and put marks out there to further the competition. I've never been in a situation where everyone wants to beat me."

The discus prelims and final will both be held on Thursday starting at 6:45 p.m. Brown Trafton will be competing on Hayward Field — the same place where she won the Pacific Championships, set a PR and qualified for the 2008 Olympic team — looking to capture the national title that's eluded her.

Contact reporter Joelle Milholm at joellem@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Cogito wrote on Jun 19, 2009 7:33 AM:

" Best of luck Stephanie. May God bless you in everything you do. You make us Galtonians proud with your success. You will always be the best with us. "

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