Plains' VonHeeder competes in U.S. Olympic Trials

Montana State's Carley VonHeeder, the state javelin champion from Plains and a Big Sky champion with the Bobcats, competed in last Friday’s U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.

VonHeeder may not have reached the finals, but her work placed her 16th among a field of the country’s top 24 female javelin throwers.

VonHeeder opened with a throw of 156 feet, 2 inches, then followed with one of 145 feet, 10 inches. She capped her performance with a throw of 154 feet, 6 inches.

VonHeeder's fifth year for Montana State was one to remember as she set a personal best mark and broke the school record in javelin with a throw of 173 feet, 10 inches. It was the 22nd best throw of the year among female American javelin throwers.

The 2016 Plains graduate qualified for the state championships four times and won two state titles, one in 2013 in her freshman season and the second in 2015 as a junior. She placed seventh in 2014.

The Trotters won four consecutive Montana High School state titles during VonHeeder’s time in high school in track and field, three of them in Class B and one in MHSA Class C, VonHeeder’s senior year.

She is the daughter of Rebecca and Derek VonHeeder, of Plains.