INDIANAPOLIS -- Erin Gilreath (Orlando, Florida) set an American record in the women’s hammer throw on April 10, 2004, to edge out Gail Devers as the third USATF Throwback Athlete of the Week award. In the absence of competition during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are taking a weekly look back at some of the great efforts by American track and field athletes through the years.

Gilreath, who starred at Indiana State collegiately, won the Sun Angel Classic at Tempe, Arizona, with a 72.12m/236-7 to add 11 centimeters to the previous AR set in 2002 by Anna Mahon. She won the USATF Indoor 20-pound weight title earlier that year and went on to win the Olympic Trials to earn a berth on Team USATF at the Athens Games. Gilreath added one more AR in 2005 with a 73.87m/242-4 to win the USATF Outdoor title in Carson, California.
 
Other historical performances of note from the April 6-12 period in USATF history:
 

• April 6 — Bob Garrett American record in discus throw, 29.15m/95-7.25 at 1896 Olympic Games in Athens
• April 7 — Leslie Deniz American record in discus throw, 65.20m/213-0 at Tempe, Arizona, in 1984
• April 8 — Randy Matson American record in discus throw, 65.15m/213-9 at College Station, Texas, in 1967
• April 9 — Gail Devers American record in 100m hurdles, 12.71 at West Coast Relays in Fresno in 1988
• April 11 — Willie Banks American record in triple jump, 17.31m/56-9.5 at Jenner Classic in San Jose in 1981
• April 12 — Joe Dial American record in pole vault, 5.86m/19-2.75 at Norman, Oklahoma, in 1986

 
Now in its 19th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
 
2020 Winners: January 9, Miranda Melville; January 16, Paul Perry; January 23, Natosha Rogers; January 30, Tyler Day, February 6, Devin Dixon; February 13, Elle Purrier; February 20, Tori Franklin; February 27, Sandi Morris; March 4, Abdi Abdirahman; March 12 Marielle Hall; March 19, Tim Tollefson; April 2, Louise Ritter; April 9, Francie Larrieu Smith; April 16, Erin Gilreath.
 
We welcome your nominations!
 
To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about his/her performance to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
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