REDDING, Calif. - Simpson University's very own track and field graduate assistant, Elena Bruckner, competes at the National level in Eugene, OR this weekend.
The USATF (United States of America Track and Field) National Championships in Eugene, OR will be held at Hayward Stadium from July 31st to August 3rd.
Coach Bruckner comes in ranked 9th as she looks to compete in the women's discus today at noon (PST), as it features the top 16 women's discus throwers in the nation.
After a decorated collegiate career as a Longhorn, Coach Bruckner is one of nine women to meet the qualifying standard for the world championships, as she is ranked 30th in the world.
A top-three finish in the women's discus can secure Coach Bruckner's spot with Team USA as they compete in the World Championships in Tokyo.
However, this is not Coach Bruckner's first rodeo as she made her first US national event in 2023, as she finished third and qualified to represent Team USA at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, HUN.
In 2024, she competed in the 2024 Olympic Trials as she entered the tournament ranked 6th and was one of six people qualified to be able to make Team USA for the Paris Olympics. Unfortunately, Coach Bruckner fell on the outside looking in as she finished sixth, with the top three finishers making the Team USA squad.
Coach Brucker has had quite the year as she trained tirelessly while being an important part of Simpson's Track and Field program as a first-year graduate assistant.
"While I am excited to compete again for a spot on Team USA, this has been a very long season. I have been competing consistently every week or every other week since May. I have competed all over the country, as well as a few trips to Canada and Germany. This has been a successful season so far but I haven't had the breakout performances I had hoped for yet. I do feel this could happen at USA's. I have been performing consistently right below my PR, so I know I am ready for a big throw. And I have been loving the competition this year, I am excited to have a big crowd and high energy at Haywayd Stadium."
She is thankful and excited to be given the opportunity to be able to make Team USA to represent her country at the highest stage.
"I had a tumultuous college career, so to be able to continue competing professionally is a dream I thought I had lost. It has been so amazing to represent the USA, and I am eager for another opportunity to do so."
What's next...
Coach Bruckner's 2025 season comes to an end as she prepares for the upcoming school year to get ready for the incoming Red Hawks this fall. But the second and more desirable option is that Coach Bruckner makes the team and continues her training for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo in late September.
"Either way, I will be back on campus next week, hard at work and will continue training for my long-term goal of making Team USA for the 2028 LA Olympics."
"My favorite part about continuing to throw after college is the platform I have built to share the joy and love of Jesus. It would be so awesome if God's plan for me in this sport includes me winning big meets and throwing really far, but I don't know if it is. But I do know He has me in this position for a reason, and until he calls me elsewhere, I will continue training for the Lord and showing up to let Him work through me."
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