BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – No fewer than four throwers representing California track & field will take to the circle over the next week at the National Athletics Centre, hoping to add to the Golden Bears' all-time World Athletics Championships total of six medals. Each member of the largest group in program history to appear on international track & field's biggest stage trains under assistant coach Mohamad Saatara.
 
"It is a wonderful feeling to have four throwers at the World Championships," he said. "This speaks to the talent, hard work and dedication that these incredible people have demonstrated; it also speaks to the amazing level of support and leadership from Coach (Robyne) Johnson, our staff and the athletic department."
 
Rising junior Mykolas Alekna will start off the Bears' slate of competition on Saturday, where he will compete in Group A of the men's discus qualifying round. He currently ranks third in the world standings behind Slovenia's Kristjan Čeh and Sweden's Daniel Ståhl, having reached a collegiate-record 71.00m (232-11) at the 128th Big Meet in May. The reigning European U23 and Lithuanian champion will face off against Ståhl and NCAA runner-up Roje Stona in his group, as well as his own older brother Martynas. Should he qualify for the final via surpassing the automatic qualification mark or being one of the top-12 throwers in both groups combined, Alekna will look to earn his second straight world medal on Monday.
 
Alumna Camryn Rogers will also return to the World Championships stage this year, competing in the women's hammer throw qualifier on Wednesday (and potentially in Thursday's final). The three-time NCAA champion, collegiate record-holder is second only to American Brooke Andersen in the world standings, having launched a Canadian-record throw of 78.62m (257-11) at the Los Angeles Grand Prix in May; two months later, she earned her third national title at the Bell Canadian Track & Field Championships.
 
Last year, both Alekna and Rogers took 2nd to tie for the highest-ever finish by a Cal athlete, past or present. "Camryn and Mykolas are more experienced and competitive than last year," Saatara said. "You can definitely see their growth as people and as competitors."
 
Joining Rogers in the women's hammer throw – and making her World Championships debut – will be alumna Anna Purchase of Great Britain. Purchase, who finished third at this year's NCAA Championships and second at the UK Athletics Championships, currently ranks 18th on the 2023 world list. Her best throw of the season came at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational in March, where she smashed her personal best with a mark of 73.02m (239-6). She is currently the second-best British women's hammer thrower of all time.
 
Rounding out the group is Cal volunteer assistant coach Elena Bruckner, who is also making her Worlds debut after finishing third in the women's discus at the USATF Championships in June. Bruckner currently ranks 23rd on the planet after throwing 61.51m (201-9) at the Mt. SAC Relays in April. Although her main competition in Sunday's qualifier (and potentially in Tuesday's final) will be teammate and world No. 1 Valarie Allman, other top-level throwers in the upcoming discus contest include reigning world champion Bin Feng (China) and NCAA champion Jorinde van Klinken (Netherlands).
 
Saatara's advice to his two World Championships newcomers emphasizes two core factors. "At this level of competition, we're talking about stability and discipline," he said. "I want to see them leave it all out on the field while enjoying and taking in this great experience."
 
The World Athletics Championships are scheduled to take place from Aug. 19-27. NBC, CNBC and USA Network will all combine to air the meet on TV; all TV coverage will also be available to subscribers on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App. Peacock TV will host individual streams of all field event finals.
 
World Athletics Championships – Schedule (All Times PT)
All Times PT
 
Saturday, Aug. 19
Men's Discus Qualification Group A: Mykolas Alekna – 10:09 a.m.
 
Sunday, Aug. 20
Women's Discus Qualification Group A: Elena Bruckner – 12 a.m.
 
Monday, Aug. 21
Men's Discus Final – 11:30 a.m.
 
Tuesday, Aug. 22
Women's Discus Final – 11:20 a.m.
 
Wednesday, Aug. 23
Women's Hammer Qualification Group A: Camryn Rogers - 10 a.m.
Women's Hammer Qualification Group B: Anna Purchase - 11:35 a.m.
 
Thursday, Aug. 24
Women's Hammer Final – 11:26 a.m.
 
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