Aug. 15, 2014

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Senior Kearsten Peoples made her debut in the Team USA uniform on Friday, as she took on a field of some of the world's top female shot putters at the Pan-American Sports Festival in Mexico City.  She placed fourth in the competition with a top throw of 16.92m (55-6.25).

"I am so honored to be chosen to represent Team USA!  It was awesome to be able to meet great athletes from around our country, and to meet people from other teams," Peoples said. "For being so late in the summer, and having a couple weeks off throwing, a little under 17-meters is awesome!  Although getting fourth stings, it makes me excited for the year ahead."

Included among the competition were three-fellow top-25 shot putters on the IAAF (International Association of Athletic Federations) world rankings, including current No. 17 and two-time IAAF World Championships top-15 finisher, Lopez Yaniuvis (Cuba).  Yaniuvis won Friday afternoon's competition and was followed closely by two-time South American Champion and No. 19 in the world, Natalia Duco (Chile).  Just ahead of Peoples in third was U.S. teammate Brittany Smith, currently No. 13 in the world and the 2012 NACAC U23 Shot Put Champion.

Peoples is no stranger to setting out against the best.  She peaked at No. 10 on the IAAF rankings during the season, and closed with her seventh All-American performance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, placing third.  She entered the weekend in the No. 23 slot on the rankings.

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