HAWK TALK

December 2019

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32 throw. e ring had one line to represent the qualification mark. Overwhelmed with emotion, Tausaga did not even look at her score to realize what she had accomplished. "When we got to the stadium for the qualification round, I told her that we would take a few throws to get her in the mindset. She told me she would prefer not to," said Werskey. "I was taken back, but she explained to me when she was in Minsk competing, she didn't take any throws. She did her drill routine and kept looking at everybody. It made her nervous, but excited. She got a PR at that competition. I trusted it. It was a powerful moment for her, and I stood back and accepted it. I know this woman can compete with the best in the world and if she feels comfortable with her decision, we were going to roll with it." Tausaga had a day to collect herself and reset for the final. Routine did not change, however. e goal of Tausaga and Werskey was to qualify for the final. How she finished was up in the air because at that point, she had already accomplished so much. "e final day came and coach told me the same thing. 'You've made it to the final day. You've literally made it to the end of your season. You have nothing else you have to prove, but at the same time, these women aren't looking at you. It's best to come in as an underdog because you're going to be able to beat these guys in the long run,'" Tausaga said. On Oct. 4, Tausaga faulted on three attempts in the women's discus final at the 2019 World Championship. With the first two throws hitting the ring, the third felt like it could have been a PR and possibly medal-worthy. Without realizing, Tausaga's foot stepped over the line, causing her to go unmarked in the final. "I had the most amazing practice. I told myself win, draw, or lose, I'm not going to hesitate. I'm not going to give up. I'm going to hit it, and the thing was, I did exactly that," Tausaga said. "It's just that it was so new to my body that I didn't know how to control it." Tausaga didn't leave empty-handed. She gained more experience and knowledge than anyone could wish for at her level. With one more year of eligibility, Tausaga looks forward to her senior season at Iowa with a new perspective. "I couldn't be happier with my performance, because I didn't hesitate, regardless of the fouls. I went out and competed and executed the plan we set in place," Tausaga said. "It's something I have never been a part of, but now that I have experienced it, it will help me if I want to pursue this career aer college." "On her third attempt, people told me she was right at the 65-meter line, potentially medal- worthy, but she had accidentally stepped outside her ring," Werskey said. "When we le the stadium, her head was held high and I was still so

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