IRON WOOD THROWS CLASSIC: Something to start on ... Ortega shines in men's discus on first day of Iron Wood Throws Classic

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

RATHDRUM — Sure, Mauricio Ortega had some nerves coming in to compete in the men’s discus throw of the Iron Wood Throws Classic on Thursday.

But he didn’t show it when it counted, winning Thursday’s event with a throw of 215 feet, 1 inch at the Iron Wood Throwers Center, just off Highway 53.

“My plan was to just throw,” Ortega said. “I think all of us had the same plan, to just go out and throw and then see what happens. I just wanted to enjoy the tournament and everything about it.”

Ortega, from Colombia, was seventh in the discus in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and was 18th in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

“It’s my first time here in the city, state and this tournament,” Ortega said. “The win for today was nice. All of the athletes here were really nice.”

Reginald Jagers III, who was 19th in the 2024 Paris Olympics for the U.S., got his start at the Iron Wood Throwers Center as the club sponsored him when he was turning pro in 2018.

“I haven’t been back here in a while,” Jagers III said. “It’s kind of a homecoming. I was here when Jarred Rome was here when I first went pro. He really gave me a start to my career, and this place has always had a special place in my heart.”

Due to two events being canceled in the Los Angeles area in July, throwers had an opening on the schedule to come to Rathdrum.

“There’s a lot of camaraderie with the throws events,” Jagers III said. “We’re all really trying to make the Olympic team, but you just respect their craft and each other. Even if you’re an Olympian or working toward it, you’re from the same country, so there’s a sense of pride there. It’s just good to bring everyone together. I really appreciate it.”

Ortega notched his winning mark on his fifth throw of six in the series.

“It’s really nice,” Ortega said. “All of the tournaments that are held in America are really nice and help me improve on my technique and focus. You can find a really high level of competition here.”

Other winners on Thursday were Ononmo Ogbeni of Nigeria (women’s shot put), Justin Stafford of the U.S. (men’s hammer throw), Daniel McArthur of the U.S. (men’s shot put) and Elena Bruckner (women’s discus) of the U.S. and Amber Simpson of Great Britain (women’s hammer throw).

Jagers III, a lefty, finished ninth in the discus on Thursday with a throw of 193-1.

“I think it makes me stronger,” Jagers III said. “This will be kind of like the rust buster. I’ll learn from it and get more prepared to throw in the wind. This is one that’s not really a slow burner, and you’ve got to come in ready to throw on the first attempt. It wasn’t what I expected, but I’ll be ready to go on Saturday.”

Due to travel issues and scheduling mixups, some athletes did not compete Thursday, but are said to be en route for Saturday's event.

Saturday’s event, which begins with the men’s hammer throw and women’s shot put at 11 a.m., is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour, where winners in each event are awarded $1,500.

“I’ll spend the off day getting prepared for that,” Jagers III said. “I need an ice bath, a massage, everything.”

WOMEN’S SHOT PUT — 1, Onomo Ogbeni, Nigeria, 58 feet, 3 inches.

MEN’S HAMMER THROW — 1, Justin Stafford, United States, 242-4. 2, Alex Young, United States, 241-1. 3, Tanner Berg, United States, 238-2. 4, Brock Eager, United States, 234-4. 5, Diego Del Real Galindo, Mexico, 231-5. 6, Kade McCall, United States, 230-5. 7, Johnnie Jackson, United States, 224-6. 8, Grayson Fleming, United States, 220-3. 9, Kristofer Emig, United States, 216-0. 10, Keagan Schroeter, United States, 213-10.

MEN’S SHOT PUT — 1, Daniel McArthur, United States, 67-2. 2, Nik Curtiss, United States, 66-0 ¼. 3, Jordan West, 65-10 ½. 4, Chris Van Niekerk, South Africa, 65-9. 5, T’Mond Johnson, United States, 65-4 ¼. 6, Lucas Warning, United States, 61-5 ¾. 7, Jeff Kline, United States, 59-6 ¼. 8, Joseph Miraya, United States, 55-6 ½. 

WOMEN’S HAMMER THROW — 1, Amber Simpson, Great Britain, 220-2. 2, Sade Olatoye, Nigeria, 218-5. 3, Mayyi Mahama, United States, 213-6. 4, Zoe Yeast, United States, 198-4.

MEN’S DISCUS — 1, Mauricio Ortega, Colombia, 215-1. 2, Robbie Otal, United States, 211-11. 3, Jordan Roach, United States, 206-10. 4, Mitchell Weber, United States, 203-1. 5, Joseph Brown, United States, 201-10. 6, Yakob Ekoue, United States, 195-10. 7, Sam Weeks, United States, 195-9. 8, Youssef Koudssi, Canada, 193-8. 9, Reginald Jagers III, United States, 193-1. 10, Dallin Shurts, United States, 191-4. 11, Legend Hayes, United States, 190-9. 12, Joseph Miraya, United States, 177-0.

WOMEN’S DISCUS — 1, Elena Bruckner, United States, 203-3. 2, Gabi Jacobs, United States, 201-8. 3, Obigeri Amaechi, Nigeria, 194-2. 4, Micaela Hazlewood, United States, 189-1. 5, Alexandra Freeman, Velaasa, 188-0. 6, Kaia Harris, United States, 177-7.

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Joseph Brown releases a throw in the finals of the men's discus throw at the Iron Wood Throws Classic at the Iron Wood Throws Center in Rathdrum on Thursday. The event concludes on Saturday.