A former SIU track and field athlete was a top-10 finisher in the world in the women’s hammer throw finals this morning during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

DeAnna Price, who graduated from SIU in May, finished off the podium in eighth place with her best throw of 70.95 meters after three attempts.

The throw came short of her personal best of 73.09 meters, the American college record.

The Moscow Mills, Mo., qualified for the finals Friday after finishing fourth in her group, making the top 12 for her longest throw of 70.79 meters.

Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk took the gold medal in dominant fashion, breaking not only the Olympic record but her own world record with a throw of 82.29 meters. Silver medalist Zhang Wenxiu of China finished second with a throw of 76.75 meters.

Fellow Americans Amber Campbell finished sixth with a 72.74 meter throw for the best finish by an American in the event in Olympic history.

Former Saluki Bianca Stuart will participate in the long jump for the Bahamas with her preliminary rounds starting Tuesday.

The Olympics will conclude Sunday.

DeAnna Price and Amber Campbell are the 1st U.S. women in 16 years to place top-8 in the women's hammer. #Olympics pic.twitter.com/lFOMw2yaqx

— Saluki Track & Field (@SIU_TrackXC) August 15, 2016

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Best-ever finishes by Americans in #Olympics women's Hammer:

6th – Amber Cambell (2016)
7th – Dawn Ellerbe (2000)
8th – DEANNA PRICE (2016)

— USTFCCCA (@USTFCCCA) August 15, 2016

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