Kate Schmidt

Event: Javelin

Inducted to Hall of Fame: 1985

"Kate the Great" was the greatest American woman javelin thrower in history. She claimed two bronze medals at the Olympics, and broke the world record. She upped the American record 10 times, adding almost 30 feet to the previous record. She still holds the American record for the event, and recorded 12 of the top 20 throws in U.S. history.

Kate was a member of three U.S. Olympic teams, and just missed qualifying for a fourth, when she finished fourth at the 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials. She also placed fourth at the 1968 Olympic Trials, when she was just 14 years old.

Oddly, despite the fact that Kate won four Mt. SAC titles, she does not hold the meet and stadium record (221-11); that distinction belongs to fellow Hall of Fame member Karin Smith.

Born: 1953

College: Cal State Long Beach/UCLA

• 1973: 1st, 184-5 (56.22m)
• 1974: 1st, 192-1 (58.54m)
• 1975: 1st, 191-9 (58.44m)
• 1976: 1st, 211-6 (64.46m)
• 1980: 2nd, 193-11

• PR: 227-5 (69.32m)
• Broke World Record, 1977
  • 227-5 (69.32m)
• Broke American Record 10 times:
  • 1972: 200-6 (61.12m)
  • 1973: 205-6 (62.64m)
  • 1973: 205-6 (62.64m)
  • 1973: 207-10 (63.36m)
  • 1973: 208-1 (63.42m)
  • 1975: 209-3 (63.78m)
  • 1975: 209-7 (63.88m)
  • 1976: 215-6 (65.68m)
  • 1976: 218-3 (66.52m)
  • 1977: 227-5 (69.32m)
    
• Olympic Bronze Medal, 1972
  • 196-8 (59.94m)
• Olympic Bronze Medal, 1976
  • 209-10 (63.96m)
• U.S. National Champion:
  • 1969: 177-4
  • 1973: 194-6
  • 1974: 203-2
  • 1975: 209-7
  • 1976: 218-3
  • 1977: 200-7
  • 1979: 206-1