Chase Ealey/Courtesy photo

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

Los Alamos County Councilors during their regular session Tuesday evening at the Municipal Building issued a proclamation honoring world class athlete Chase Ealey, an alumna of Los Alamos High School. Ealey was not present for the proclamation which was read by Councilor David Reagor and reads as follows

WHEREAS, Chase Ealey graduated from the Los Alamos Public School system in 2012; and

WHEREAS, While attending Los Alamos High School, Chase Ealey began her track career as a sprinter and is a three-time state champ in the 100-meter dash, and holds the school record in both the shot put and the javelin; and

WHEREAS, Chase Ealey then attended and competed for Oklahoma State University from 2013-16, where shot put became her marquee event. Chase currently holds both the indoor and outdoor program records in the shot put. She finished her college career as a three-time All-American and 12-time All-Big 12 honoree, in addition to her runner-up finish at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the shot put; and

WHEREAS,  Chase Ealey then went on to finish 4th in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials; and

WHEREAS,   Chase Ealey set a U.S. Track and Field Outdoor Championships record with a throw of 20.51 meters, winning gold and the national title in June 2022 and earning her a spot on the U.S. Team for the world championships; and

 WHEREAS,  Chase Ealey then went on to make history this past July as the first American woman to win the world championship gold medal for shot put at the 2022 World Athletic Championships in Eugene, Oregon; and

WHEREAS,  Chase Ealey’s winning throw of 20.49 meters was achieved on the first attempt of the six finals round and was 10 centimeters better than the reigning Olympic gold medalist from China. It is believed that she is the first woman’s Shot Put World Champion to win on the first attempt; and

 WHEREAS,  Chase Ealey has accomplished all this while being a great role model for young adults who emulate her and aspire to a similar level of athletic and academic greatness, and;

 WHEREAS,  We, as residents and officials of Los Alamos County, benefit immensely from Chase Ealey’s dignified and proud representation of our entire community.

 NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby ask all our county residents to join me in proudly honoring and celebrating CHASE EALEY for her profound accomplishments, her future accomplishments and for her inspiring commitment to excellence.

Signed: Randall T. Ryti, Chair, Los Alamos County Council