NO DOUBTS WERE LEFT by Curtis Thompson in the javelin. The 4-time champion made it 5 with a dominating performance on the meet’s first morning. A member of the last two Worlds squads, Thompson came into the final as the only man with a shot to compete in Tokyo. He had made the WC standard with his season-opening PR of 280-6 (87.76) at the Texas Relays.
On a hot morning here at Hayward Field, he hurled the spear 255-10 (77.99) on his first attempt, a mark none of his competitors could match all day. Donavon Banks of the Air Force, last year’s runner-up, hit 250-6 (76.36) on his opener to take hold of the second spot.
In round 2, Thompson went even farther with a 265-4 (80.87). His next throw, 263-6 (80.33), was another that emphasized his dominance.
Marc Minichello jumped to the No. 2 spot in round 4, hitting 252-0 (76.81). Then Thompson unleashed his monster, the implement soaring to 275-2 (83.89), the fourth-best throw of his career. It has been 16 years since anyone threw farther in a USATF championship. He followed with a round 5 foul.
In the final stanza, Dash Sirmon took over the second spot at 253-6 (77.28). Minichello closed with a 246-5 (75.12). Then Thompson came up with another biggie: 270-6 (82.44). Any of his five fair throws would have held up for his third-straight USATF victory.
With another four 80-meter throws under his belt, Thompson says stacking such marks boosts his confidence. “It just keeps growing every time,” he told Dyestat. “Seeing that number just reminds you, you’re doing the right thing, you’re on the right path. Keep pushing for it and those big numbers will come.”
Now Thompson is turning his mind back toward training to prepare for Tokyo, though he is considering the NACAC meet in the Bahamas in mid-August. “It’s really about training and getting ready for Worlds. See if we can put a good one together finally.”
Sitting at No. 3 on the current world list, he added, “I’m definitely feeling a little more confident than last year, due to the consistent training and the consistency of everything that’s been going on this year.”
MEN’S JAVELIN RESULTS
(July 31)
1. Curtis Thompson (Tr/NYAC) 275-2 (83.89)
(255-10, 265-4, 263-6, 275-2, f, 270-6) (77.99, 80.87, 80.33, 83.89, f, 82.44);
2. Dash Sirmon (unat) 253-6 (77.28)
(f, 239-7, f, 227-5, 235-9, 253-6) (f, 73.02, f, 69.33, 71.87, 77.28);
3. Marc Minichello (unat) 252-0 (76.81)
(246-0, 240-10, 235-1, 252-0, f, 246-5) (74.99, 73.42, 71.67, 76.81, f, 75.12);
4. Donavon Banks (USAFThrowZ) 250-6 (76.36)
(250-6, f, f, 246-2, f, f) (76.36, f, f, 75.03, f, f);
5. James Kotowski (MaL) 235-10 (71.88);
6. Jordan Davis (Ga) 234-2 (71.39);
7. Christopher Fredericks (EStroud) 222-0 (67.68); 8. Vaughn Deinhart (unat) 221-8 (67.57); 9. Caleb Calvin (PittSt) 219-2 (66.80); 10. Ethan Shalaway (unat) 218-11 (66.72); 11. Colin Winkler (GardStTC) 215-5 (65.67); 12. James McNaney (unat) 214-2 (65.29); 13. Riley Marx (KsSt) 211-0 (64.33).
