Paula Berry

Paula Berry was a javelin thrower for the United States at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, although she struggled there and was well off her personal best. However, this could be excused. Shortly before the Olympics, Berry was diagnosed with uterine cancer but refused to let that stop her from competing at Barcelona. Over the next few years she underwent two major surgeries and radiation therapy.

Berry grew up in Dayville, Oregon – population 125 – and was a student at the University of Oregon, where she won the NCAA javelin title in 1991, after finishing as runner-up in 1990. She was also a two-time Pac-10 Conference Champion. Berry was inducted into the University of Oregon Hall of Fame in 2003.

Internationally Berry finished third in the javelin at the 1991 Universiade. She placed fifth at the 1995 Pan American Games, and also competed at the 1988 World Junior Championships. Berry later coached high school throwers on a part-time basis, while working as a development associate with St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Oregon.

Personal Best: JT – 61.60 (1991).