Leigh Petranoff Advances to Javelin Finals at U.S. Olympic Trials in Oregon

Leigh Petranoff of Cranston inherited her father's javelin genes. Now she's hoping to follow in his Olympian footsteps.

At Friday's javelin qualifying at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, OR, the former star at Cranston West High School qualified for the finals to be held at 2:45 p.m. Pacific time Sunday.

But it was "by the skin of my teeth," the 23-year-old said after throwing 164 feet, 9 inches for 12th in the 24-woman field.  Only 12 advanced to the finals.

"I'm happy I made it," she said as a light rain began.

Leigh's father, Tom Petranoff, was an Olympian in 1984 and 1988 and held the world record for a time—until international track authorities were forced to change the specifications of the spear so it wouldn't fly so far. His first Olympic Trials—in 1980 at Eugene—were at age 22 when he tied for third.

Tom invented and marketed the Turbojav, a safe plastic implement that youngsters use for practice and even competition.  Leigh is competing for Turbojav Athletic Club.

But to make the U.S. team for London, Petranoff needs to finish in the top three and hit the qualifying mark of 61 meters—200 feet, 1 inch.  Her best this season is 52.81 meters—173-3.

Tom called Leigh's experience a "good stepping stone" in her career, which he thinks could result in an Olympic team berth—in 2016. 

The Games that year will be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—in the Southern Hemisphere.  Leigh was born down under as well—in South Africa.