Kate Schmidt

Kate “The Great” Schmidt is undoubtedly the greatest U.S. female javelin thrower ever. She won the AAU seven times between 1969 and 1979, the AIAW title in 1975, and improved the U.S. record several times, finishing with a world record of 227-5 (69.32) in 1977. She attended UCLA and Long Beach State and qualified for her third Olympics in 1980 but, obviously did not compete.

Schmidt later worked as a technical consultant to shoe companies and was on the production staff of Trans World International for a time. She has also spent time as men’s and women’s throws coach at Occidental College, and owns HomeBodies, a mobile fitness and rehab company.

Personal Bests: SP – 41-6¾ (12.67) (1975); DT – 146-10 (44.75) (1971); JT – 227-5 (69.32) (1977).