Baker elevates to No. 3 all-time prep performer, No. 4 in American U-20 history to excel in final tuneup before Finland

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Dana Baker was back to producing big throws with the javelin Friday, and judging by her consistency, the best might still be yet to come this summer for the Olathe North KS graduate.

Baker, a Duke signee, surpassed her own meet record at the American JavFest with a second-round throw of 180 feet, 10 inches (55.11m) at East Stroudsburg High in Pennsylvania, eclipsing the senior class record and elevating to the No. 3 all-time prep performer.

It was a big turnaround for Baker, who placed 13th with a mark of 160-11 (49.05m) on June 21 at the USATF Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

“I think on account of nerves, I short-stepped everything and this time I made sure to stay relaxed and to stride out and get more power from my legs,” said Baker, who had four additional throws Friday beyond 170 feet, all better than last year’s winning mark of 169-2 (51.56m).

“I think there was definitely more, I just needed to fine tune some things. But because I was so consistent, I believe there was more. I felt really good (Friday) and didn’t feel like I had to strain on my throws.”

Baker, who won the USATF Junior Outdoor title June 15 in Bloomington, Ind., with a first-round effort of 178-1 (54.28m), ascended to No. 4 in American U-20 history and continues to close in on the national high school and U.S. Junior record of 185-8 (56.59m) set in 2015 by Madison Wiltrout, now a North Carolina freshman.

“I don’t feel a whole lot different about my career. I’m super excited to hit the 180 milestone, but my goal to just better myself is the same and seeing these results pushes me even more,” Baker said. “With that being said, I’m extremely honored to be included in a group of those really athletic and talented throwers.”

Baker will return home to Kansas to focus on her runway technique before departing July 6 to compete July 10 in Tampere, Finland at the IAAF World U-20 Championships. No American has earned a women’s javelin medal in the previous 16 editions of the meet, which began in 1986.

“It’s a huge confidence booster,” said Baker, who ranks No. 8 among World U-20 performers this year.
“I was feeling a little down after only throwing 160 last week and to throw as far and consistent makes me optimistic for Finland and even more motivated to get more.”

Sydney Juszczyk, the top freshman in the country from Trinity Catholic MO, equaled her personal best Friday to place second with a fourth-round throw of 161-8 (49.29m) that has her ranked No. 4 nationally among prep athletes.

Wyoming Area PA graduate Marc Minichello set the boys meet record with a third-round throw of 213-5 (65.05m), elevating from No. 14 in the country to No. 7 among prep performers this year.

Minichello, who had two additional throws beyond 200 feet, edged Southeast Raleigh NC graduate Roman Mitchell, who had a third-round effort of 205-10 (62.74m) to ascend from No. 17 to 13th in the country this year.