Camryn Rogers back at site of historic hammer throw effort seeking Prefontaine Classic title

When Camryn Rogers arrived this week in Eugene, Ore., it's hard to imagine the reigning world champion hammer thrower from Richmond, B.C. didn't take a few minutes to recall a bevy of memorable career moments at iconic Hayward Field.

Nearly two years ago, she waged a battle with American rival Brooke Andersen, who took an early lead with a throw of 74.81 metres at the World Athletics Championships.

On her third of six attempts, Rogers delivered her best throw of 75.52 on a sunny and windy Sunday afternoon to hold off Janee' Kassanavoid for silver behind Andersen, becoming the first Canadian woman to medal at the competition.

"I feel so completely overwhelmed right now with emotion," Rogers told CBC Sports after her performance on July 17, 2022. "I am so motivated and so excited to be coming home with this medal. It shows every throw, every lift [of weights], this is what it leads to."

On Saturday at 2:35 p.m. ET, the aforementioned trio and others will try to earn the title of Prefontaine Classic champion in an event that isn't a regular fixture on the pro track and field circuit, meaning they won't earn Diamond League points for competing. Live streaming coverage begins at 4 p.m. at CBCSports.ca, CBC Sports App and CBC Gem.

WATCH | Rogers wins historic silver medal at 2022 world championships:

Earlier in the 2022 campaign, Rogers claimed two victories at Hayward — at the Pac-12 Conference Championships and NCAA Division 1 outdoor championships while competing for the University of California, Berkeley. Three weeks after worlds, she won Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham, England.

The 24-year-old debuted at Hayward Field on April 8, 2015, two months before her 16th birthday, and was victorious with a throw of 53.82 at the Oregon Relays. She won again two years later. The stadium is named after Bill Hayward, a world lacrosse champion with the Ottawa Capitals who grew up in Toronto and was the first track and field coach for the University of Oregon Ducks in 1904.

Saturday marks Rogers's third competition of the season. She placed third a week ago at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix, site of her Canadian record and 2023 season best of 78.62.

Rogers achieved the 74.00 entry standard for this summer's Paris Olympics the day after the July 1, 2023 qualifying window opened with a winning throw of 76.95 at the Edmonton Athletics Invitational

She capped a nine-win season (12 events) with world championship gold in Budapest, Hungary, defeating Kassanavoid and fellow American DeAnna Price, who is part of Saturday's field of eight.

WATCH | Rogers throws 77.22 metres to win 2023 world gold in Hungary:

So, too, is Kingston, Ont., native Jillian Weir, who now lives in Lethbridge, Alta. She returns to Hayward Field for the first time since her fifth-place throw (72.41) at 2022 worlds.

After dipping to a 67.85 season best last year, Weir has topped that distance twice in five events this year — a 71.13 SB on April 20 at the LSU Alumni Gold meet in Baton Rouge, La., and most recently at the Chinook Throws Gala in Lethbridge, where she won (68.87).