Olympian is graduation speaker

Rachel Yurkovich, professional javelin thrower and 2005 Newberg High School graduate, will be the featured speaker at her alma mater’s graduation ceremonies on June 7th. She competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Yurkovich attended the University of Oregon, earning a degree in economics in 2009. She was the NCAA women’s javelin champion in both 2008 and 2009. She placed 12th in the finals of the javelin throw at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics.
As a high school student, Yurkovich was senior class president and a member of the National Honor Society. She was the OSAA 6A women’s javelin champion in 2005.

Yurkovich currently lives in Powder Springs, Georgia, with her husband Piotrek Buciarski who also competed for the University of Oregon in the Pole Vault. Buciarski is the Danish record holder and a 2004 Olympian. Her family still resides in the local area.

Statistics from Rachel’s athletic career:
Member of the University of Oregon Track and Field team

• University of Oregon Team Captain 2007-08, 2008-09
• Pac-10 Champion 2006,07,08,09
• Western Regional Champion 2006,07,08,09
• All American 2006,07,08,09,10,11
• NCAA National Champion 2008,09
• Olympic Trial Bronze Mentalist 2008
• IAAF World Championship Finalist 2009, Qualifier 2011

Awards

• Harry Richey’s Most Inspirational: Track and Field, 2006,07,08
• Bill Bowerman’s Outstanding Achievement: Track and Field, 2009

Profession Athlete (Javelin Throw) 2009-current

• 2012 Olympian
• 2010 Ranked #1 in the Nation