Janay DeLoach, the only track and field athlete from Alaska to win an Olympic medal, earned a trip to the world championships Saturday by capturing the bronze medal at the USA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
DeLoach's jump of 22 feet, 9.75 inches was the third-best mark at the meet and solidified her return to world-class competition after a difficult stretch. DeLoach has had two surgeries on her left ankle in the last 14 months.
The bronze medalist at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, DeLoach will be one of four women who will represent the United States at the Aug. 22-30 world championships in Beijing.
Taking the win Saturday was Tianna Bartoletta, whose personal-best jump of 23-4.5 relegated world champion Brittney Reese (22-10.5) to second place.
Finishing fourth and securing a spot on the world championship team was a college jumper, Oregon's Jasmine Todd, who jumped 22-5.25.
DeLoach, 29, is an Eielson High graduate who still owns the Alaska high school record of 19-5, set in 2003. She competed at Colorado State before turning pro and is a four-time national long jump champion, with three of her titles coming at the indoor championships.
She placed 10th at last year's national championships, which came after her first ankle surgery but before her second one. Though DeLoach has in recent years added hurdling to her repertoire, she only competed in the long jump in Eugene.
Her bronze-medal-winning jump Saturday was 2.5 inches farther than the jump of 22-7.25 that garnered her an Olympic medal in London.