SALINAS, California, May 8 -- Stephanie Trafton continued her stunning improvement in the discus on a brisk, windy afternoon at Hartnell Junior College, throwing 217-1, with two other throws in the 210 range.

The 28-year-old Trafton, nee Brown, began this Olympic season with a PR of 203-1 from 4 years ago. This year she has improved that 3 times, to 207-8 and 211-0 in April, now the 217-1 (66.17), on her 2nd throw at the annual Hartnell Throwers Meet, whose afternoon quartering winds attract throwers from all over.

"I have a great feeling about the competition this year," Trafton said. "I'm excited. I was actually hoping to get over 220 today."

The men's competition was no disappointment either. World Champion Gerd Kanter of Estonia, visiting the States for a month of training and competition, threw a big 235-10 (71.88) on his final throw. Both his and Trafton's throws are world leaders for the season.

"I expected more," Kanter said. "I'm in my best shape ever. I expected to get closer to the record," referring to Jurgen Schult's world record of 243-0. Only Schult and Virgilijus Alekna have thrown farther than Kanter's throw here. Kanter himself has a best of 240-9, and a year ago at Hartnell he threw 5 inches further, 236-3, the longest throw ever on American soil.

No official series are available. Only each competitor's best throw was measured.

Trafton became No. 3 American all-time; only Suzy Powell and Becky Breisch have thrown farther, at last year's DT extravaganza in Maui. She credited her dramatic improvement to a new focus. "After last season, I didn't take any time off. I focused on my supplemental training -- balance, agility and flexibility." She is working with a physical therapist/sports performance trainer, Tony Mikla, who is based in Rancho Cordova, Calif., near her home in Galt. "Before this year, I never really dreamed I could throw over 210," Trafton said. 'Now, I want to hit at least 64 meters every time."

There were plenty of other developments.

In the men's, John Godina continued his return to the DT after a 5-year absence. "This is fun," the 35-year-old Godina said. "It's a good challenge. The discus is more relaxed and easier for me than the shot, it's not as physically taxing.

"But I've got so much catching-up to do. These other guys have a 5-year jump on me." Godina, an Olympian in the disc in 1996 and 2000, threw 213-2 (64.99), giving him an Olympic "A" (64.50). "I'm good," he said, hearing the measurement. "Now I've just gotta make that top three," referring to the Olympic Trials.

Godina said he will also contest the shot put this year, "just like the old days. But I have hand and elbow pain with the shot. I don't have that in the discus."
Casey Malone also got an "A" with 211-10 (64.56), while Brian Trainor just missed with his PR 211-0 (64.32). "I'm going to Maui," Trainor said.

In the women's, Krishna Poonia, a 31-year-old from Jappu, Rajisthan, India, had a PR 208-0 (63.74) to pass the women's Olympic "A" of 200-1 (61.00). Poonia has been training in Portland, Ore., since February with discus guru Mac Wilkins, who was on hand here. "She's going to throw farther," Wilkins said.

Results

	Men"s "A" Section
1)	Kanter,	Gerd	EST	71.88m/235-10
2)	Israel,	Mart	EST	65.03m/213-4
3)	Godina,	John	USA	64.99m/213-2
4)	Malone,	Casey	USA	64.56m/211-9
5)	Arrhenius,	Niklas	SWE	63.72m/209-0
6)	Rome,	Jarred	USA	63.44m/208-1
7)	Young,	Jason	USA	62.99m/206-8
8)	Robertson,	Michael	USA	61.97m/203-3
9)	Tunks,	Jason	CAN	60.82m/199-6
	Men"s "B" Section
1)	Harradine,	Benn	AUS	64.95m/213-1
2)	Gowda,	Vikas	IND	64.83m/212-8
3)	Trainor,	Brian	USA	64.32m/211-0
4)	Dennis,	James	USA	63.29m/207-7
5)	Austin,	Daniel	USA	62.49m/205-0
6)	Slowick,	Darius	CAN	62.29m/204-4
7)	Maric,	Martin	CRO	62.15m/203-11
8)	Arrhenius,	Leif	BYU	61.59m/202-0
9)	Myklebust,	Gaute	NOT	61.06m/200-4
10)	Kuehl,	Adam	USA	60.90m/199-9
11)	Conwell,	William	USA	60.30m/197-10
	Men"s "C" Section
1)	Brooks,	Lance	USA	61.68m/202-4
2)	Neighbour,	Aaron	AUS	61.48m/201-8
3)	Schutz,	Jason	USA	60.71m/199-2
4)	Winger,	Russ	USA	59.77m/196-1
5)	Fitzpatrick,	Kevin	USA	59.68m/195-9
6)	Ulrick,	Drew	USA	59.37m/194-9
7)	Erickson,	Karl	USA	58.61m/192-3
8)	Lightbody,	Sam	USA	55.76m/182-11
9)	Schwinn,	Mat	USA	54.17m/177-8
10)	Ringquist,	Pete	USA	54.07m/177-4
	Women"s "B" Section
1)	Korte,	Olivia	USA	55.18m/181-0
2)	Ciarelli,	Katelyn	USA	51.45m/168-9
3)	Gleeson,	Kimberely	USA	51.40m/168-7
4)	Le Jour,	Marie Josee	CAN	51.26m/168-2
5)	Richardson,	Katie	USA	50.70m/166-4
	Women"s "A" Section
1)	Trafton,	Stephanie	USA	66.17m/217-1
2)	Poonia,	Krishna	IND	63.41m/208-0
3)	Soderberg,	Anna	SWE	61.58m/202-0
4)	Barnes,	Cecilia	USA	59.35m/194-8
5)	Anyanwu,	Kelechi	USA	57.24m/187-9
6)	Tunks,	Leija	CAN	56.30m/184-8
7)	Varner,	Rachel	USA	55.70m/182-9
8)	Annie	Hess	USA	55.49m/182-0
9)	Pettersson,	Maria	SWE	53.09m/174-2