In fourth grade, 10-year-old Hayden Williams-Downing was handed her first javelin. Eight years later, Williams-Downing, senior, is committed to throwing javelin for the University of Oregon. 

Williams-Downing has lived in Oregon her whole life and began her track career as a fourth grader when she joined a club team. She found her love for javelin through this club.

“We had to try all the events, and then once I found javelin, I was committed,” Williams-Downing said.

As a young javelin thrower, the one she used back then is different from the one she uses today. The average weight of a professionally used women’s javelin is 600g. This training javelin known as a turbojav weighs about 300g.

“When you’re throwing that young, the javelins are different. It’s like a little Nerf dart. Honestly, it’s nothing like how it is now,” Williams-Downing said. 

Williams-Downing went to elementary school in West Linn, despite living out of district, and continued onto middle school in West Linn to eventually go to West Linn High School. As a middle schooler, Williams-Downing competed in club javelin. 

Despite encouragement from her middle school PE teachers, there was no javelin event offered at her school.

“We could never throw it through the school [team] because it was too dangerous,” Williams-Downing said.

Williams-Downing is a state champion, a national champion, and placed fourth at the U 20s Hayward field national track competition in Eugene, OR against college athletes. 

“I did not expect any of this happening,” Williams-Downing said.

Williams-Downing underwent multiple hip surgeries during seventh and eighth grade. COVID-19 also impacted her ability to play on a team, so when she made it to high school, it was her chance to get back into the sport.

Williams-Downing entered West Linn High School ready to throw for her first school team. 

“It was definitely the most organized team I’d been on [up to that point],” Williams-Downing said.

For Williams-Downing, high school was when throwing javelin started to get more serious. The college recruiting process typically begins in an athlete’s junior or senior year of high school. 

“I think freshman year, going into high school, I was like ‘Okay, I’m pretty good at javelin,’ and kind of as the years progressed, I was like ‘I’m gonna throw javelin in college,’ I just have to figure out where I’m gonna go now,” Williams-Downing said. 

As well as throwing javelin, Williams-Downing runs various other track events such as the 400 meter dash, the 4×100 meter relay, and the 4×400 meter relay. 

When reflecting back on her high school track career, Williams-Downing remembers the impact that her coaches made on her experience. Williams-Downing has worked with head javelin coach Randy Faddis for multiple years during her high school throwing seasons. 

“[The coaches] are all so encouraging and really helped me achieve my goals,”  Williams-Downing said.

As Williams-Downing prepares for this upcoming season she reflects on her last throwing season. In the 2024 season, Williams-Downing broke West Linn High School’s record for women’s javelin throw. She threw 162 feet and 9 inches. Not only did this throw break the existing school record, but it set a new national record, which made her the then-national record holder. 

“I had a very successful season last year. I think I won every meet except for U 20’s, which I lost to three college girls. Last year was the ideal season,” Williams-Downing said. 

Williams-Downing is officially signed to throw javelin for the University of Oregon. However, getting through the committing process took time. 

“Honestly, it’s been so confusing,” Williams-Downing said. “But I think knowing in the back of my head [that] I want to go to the University of Oregon has kept me steady and feeling good.”

Track and field is a spring sport and Williams-Downing is preparing for her upcoming season.

“I think I’m gonna get the state record,” Williams-Downing said. “I think this season is going to go very well. I’m still working on my technique, it’s a lot of technique work in throwing, and now I’m lifting too, which is something I didn’t really do last year. I think that [with] all of those things, I’m gonna have a really good season.” 

From beginner in fourth grade to officially signing with the University of Oregon her senior year, Williams-Downing is now able to look back on the years she has worked for. 

“I’m very proud of myself,” Williams-Downing said. “I kind of forget sometimes that I put in so much work, and I am number one in the nation.”

This story was originally published on wlhsNOW on December 12, 2024.