Kate Schmidt
Kathryn Joan "Kate" Schmidt is an American former world record holder in the javelin throw. A native of California and a graduate of UCLA, she won bronze medals at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. She qualified for the 1980 Olympics, but did not compete due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott. She placed fourth at the 1984 Olympic Trials.
From 1972 to 1977, Schmidt won seven national titles. She set a new world record of in Fürth, Germany. Her throw was almost 30 feet longer than the previous American record of set by Barbara Friedrich in 1967. Schmidt holds twelve of the top 20 spots of the farthest throws ever by an American. She held the American record until the women's javelin was redesigned in 1999, resetting the records.
Schmidt is a member of the USATF National Track and Field Hall of Fame, the National Throws Coaches Hall of Fame, the CSULB Hall of Fame, the LBCC HAll of Fame, and the Woodrow Wilson High School Hall of Fame.
Schmidt owns HomeBodies, a mobile fitness and rehab business, and was the men's and women's throwing coach for Occidental College in Northern Los Angeles for a while. Schmidt is also an abstract artist with works on display with the Art of the Olympians organization.
