Birmingham-bound alumna just misses world final

The former Lincoln University Sports Scholar, who holds a Bachelor of Science, missed out by 1cm, but there's a chance for glory coming up soon, as she is heading to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. 

Lauren, who is ranked the highest of the New Zealand women hammer throwers at 14th in the world, is the Oceania record holder at 74.61 metres and competed in the Tokyo Olympics last year.

She trained in Portland to prepare for the World Champs in Eugene, Oregon, and will have a camp in Wales before heading to Birmingham for competition in the first week of August.

Her throw of 70.86 at the World Champs would have been enough to win the Commonwealth gold four years ago.

Lauren finished her Lincoln study in 2018. She recently moved to Melbourne to continue working with her coach and said the change of environment had benefited her.

"This year has included a number of sporting firsts for me; winning a national hammer throw title, being selected to complete at the World Championships, and being selected for the Commonwealth Games.

"It is an incredibly special opportunity to be able to represent New Zealand at not one but two major events this year. While the world standard is increasingly high at the moment in women’s hammer throw, the field at the Commonwealth Games will also be one of the best ever and I look forward to battling it out with the rest of the girls for top spot on the podium," Lauren said.