5 August, 2026

US college success earns thrower ticket to U20 worlds

Stepping up… former TGS student Kate Hallie’s US form has bumped up her Miami University scholarship and won her a place at the U20 world champs in Oregon next week

Stanley Bay’s Kate Hallie is is “pretty chuffed” to be representing New Zealand in both shot put and discus at the World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, next week.
Her selection followed an impressive freshman year at Miami University, where she was named Women’s Freshman Field Athlete of the Year.
The former Takapuna Grammar School student claimed the award by scoring the most points for the university in the Mid American Conference competition, winning both discus and shot put events.
That achievement, supported by a successful season, bumped the 19-year-old’s partial university scholarship up to a full scholarship.
Along with the financial help, Hallie says the scholarship motivates her to “be the best I can”.
After a break in Devonport, she flew back to the US on Sunday for a pre-camp in Eugene, venue for the world champs.

That allows a week and a half for athletes to adjust to the timezone and climate before the competition from 5 to 9 August.
“I’m excited to go to Eugene, it’s one of the best tracks in the world,” she says.
The track, Track Town USA, hosts the USA Olympic Trials and holds the annual NCAA Nationals.
Making her event finals is her goal. “This is one of the biggest championships I can do for my age. It’s a big step up but I’m excited for it, and I’m excited to get a World Under-20s under my belt.”
She said qualifying was a “tough battle”.She was notified of her selection only last month. “But I was already training and planning like I was going.”
The young athlete has plenty of local support, with a proud family behind her, along with the Takapuna Athletics Club, where she was introduced to the sport and which has contributed to her flights.
Club coaches Walter and Neryda Gill have been training her since she was 10. She says Walter Gill and her university coach Ryan Smith still collaborate on her training between New Zealand and Miami.
She has also found support in the United States, where she says her friends and university classmates are quick to celebrate her success.