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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Laulauga Tausaga has experienced some unbelievable life adventures so far as a Hawkeye, but the one next week might take the cake. Tausaga arrived on Sunday in Doha, Qatar with Team USA to compete for the World Championships on October 2-4th.
“What this means to me… I can’t even explain it,” said Tausaga. “I’m completely honored to go out and showcase what my coach and I have put together. It’s been a very long journey, with a lot of crying and trying to figure things out. There’s been a lot of stumbles in the road with trying to figure out what’s going to make things fly, and for us to see the fruit of what we’ve been doing has been amazing. When it comes to team USA, I am just glad I was able to make this team and show people what the Hawkeyes are about.”
The defending NCAA champion has spent the last couple months competing with team USA. She threw 63.71 meters (209-0), an Iowa record, to place second against Europe in “The Match”. Tausaga secured her spot at the USATF Outdoor Championship on July 28, in Des Moines.
“When I went into the meet and my coach told me, ‘Why not you, why couldn’t it be you on the that team?’ I agreed, but we did not know; things have not been consistent lately,” Tausaga said. “I went in there and as soon as it left my hand, I thought to myself, I think I’m going to Worlds. I didn’t realize how much I wanted to be on that team until I let that disc fly out of my hands.”
Tausaga and former teammate, Brittany Brown, have flown out to Doha to practice and get situated as they await their qualifying days next week. The experience has been unlike any other for these two and Tausaga still feels like she’s living a dream.
“Just the whole experience to compete with people you have idolized is amazing because you realize you can now play with these girls,” said Tausaga. “They’re not just above you but are people you can be amongst and you can have that kind of greatness with them. I’m really just happy with the performances I’ve had, and I am hoping to lead it into Doha.”
Tausaga will compete in the qualifying round on Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. (CT). The finals will be held on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. (CT). To keep up to date with Tausaga’s live results visit iaaf.org.
