Katzberg continues impressive form since achieving world-leading mark in April in Kenya to secure back-to-back national championships, Rogers makes one fair throw count to win fourth career crown

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Sean Burges/Mundo Sports Images

Camryn Rogers needed one fair throw Wednesday to secure another national championship.

Ethan Katzberg continued to demonstrate the remarkable consistency that has allowed him to not only elevate to the top global competitor, but remain there this year.

Both reigning World hammer throw champions opened the Bell Track and Field Trials with titles at the Sports Complex of Claude-Robillard in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

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Katzberg, the global leader this year, produced a fourth-round effort of 271 feet (82.60m) as part of a series that included five throws beyond 78 meters to secure back-to-back Canadian crowns.

Katzberg’s mark Wednesday would have still been good enough for him to achieve the world lead, which has stood since April 20 at the Kip Keino Classic in Kenya with a lifetime-best 276-10 (84.38m).

Rowan Hamilton, the defending NCAA Division 1 champion at Cal, placed second with a fifth-round performance of 248-9 (75.83m).

Adam Keenan, a five-time Canadian champion, took third with a second-round mark of 239-1 (72.89m).

Despite five fouls, Rogers achieved a second-round throw of 246-2 (75.05m) to capture her fourth national crown. She remains No. 2 in the world this season at 255-1 (77.76m) from May 25 at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon.

Stephanie Ratcliffe, a special entry from Australia and the 2023 NCAA Division 1 champion competing for Harvard before transferring this year to Georgia, was runner-up at 219-5 (66.89m).

Kaila Butler, a 2022 Bowling Green graduate, finished third with a 217-9 (66.39m) effort, just ahead of 2018 Canadian champion Jillian Weir, who produced a 217-2 (66.21m) performance.

Katzberg and Rogers are trying to help Canada become the second country, along with Poland, to sweep Olympic gold medals in the hammer throw in the same year.