NORWALK, CA (MPG) - Nine athletes from Golden State Throwers, a club based in Herald, combined for 10 All-American awards at the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, held July 27 through Aug. 2 at Cerritos College. The total made GST the highest All-American-earning throws club in the country for 2026.

The team’s deepest event was the hammer throw, where it placed athletes in the top eight across four divisions.

In the 17-18 women’s hammer, GST took three of the top five spots. Incoming senior Madeline Hess of Folsom (Vista Del Lago HS) finished second at 158’8”, her third All-American award in the event. Incoming senior Elizabeth Ojukwu of Rancho Cordova (Pleasant Grove HS) was third at 156’11”, also her third. Incoming senior Erin Spratt of Fair Oaks (Bella Vista HS) placed fifth at 145’ even for her first.

Incoming sophomore Abby Wunderlich of Pleasanton finished fourth in the 15-16 girls hammer at 117’ even, earning her first All-American award.

On the men’s side, 2026 Elk Grove High graduate Avery Mitchell placed fourth in the 17-18 hammer at 196’1”, his second All-American award in the event. Mitchell will throw on scholarship at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. 

Matthew LaMarca of Rancho Cordova, a 2026 Pleasant Grove High graduate, finished seventh at 183’4” for his first. LaMarca will throw on scholarship at Cal State Fullerton.

In the 15-16 boys hammer, incoming junior Preston Richardson of Elk Grove (Christian Brothers HS) took second at 169’6”, and incoming sophomore Marcos Espinosa of Sacramento (Monterey Trail HS) placed fourth at 159’4”: the nation’s top finish by an incoming sophomore. Both earned their first All-American awards.

Two GST athletes added All-American honors in the discus. Incoming senior June Kobrin of Stockton (St. Mary’s HS) finished sixth in the 17-18 women’s division at 133’9” for her first award, and Richardson took eighth in the 15-16 boys division at 138’10” for his second of the week.

“There is great pride in this team,” said Head Coach Mike Curry. “They worked hard all year long to reach an accomplishment like this.”

Golden State Throwers is coached by Mike Curry. More information is available at goldenstatethrowers.org or on Instagram at @golden_state_throwers.