Cherry Hill East graduate Jude Misko, a senior at Rutgers-Camden, popped a 198-5 on his first throw and that throw stood up through six rounds to give Misko the national title at the NCAA Division 3 Track Championships at Irwin Belk Stadium in Greensboro, N..
Misko becomes the second national champion in the 48-year history of Rutgers-Camden’s track program. Deptford graduate TimLiew won the javelin in 2012 and 2013.
Misko went into the meet as the No. 2 seed with a PR of 200-9 from the Philadelphia Metropolitan Collegiate Invitational last month at Franklin Field. The top seed, Widener freshman Alex Kristeller, had a Pr of 206-9 from the MAC Championships in Chester.
The top four finishers all threw within two feet of Misko, and Jacob Bugella of Wisconsin-Stout, Kristeller and Bryce Reynolds of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., all had multiple throws over 190 feet while Misko watched.
Bugella threw 196-10 on his second throw and also had a 195-6, Kristeller threw 196-0, 196-3 and 196-9 and Reynolds threw 194-7, 196-5, 192-2 and 195-3.
Had to be harrowing for Misko as he watched the best throwers in NCAA Division take aim at his 198-5, but when Bugella’s final throw was measured at 184-2, Misko had his national championship.
Stockton senior Darren Wan of Egg Harbor Township placed 10th overall with a throw of 179-3. Wan missed the finals by just four feet.
Misko, who won the JUCO national title in 2017 for Rowan College-Gloucester County with a 164-1 in Columbia, Md., was competing in his first NCAA National Championships.
Misko had a terrific series. He followed his 198-8 with a 190-5, 192-8, 190-11 and 195-4. He passed his final throw with the win secured but averaged 193-7 on his five throws.
Misko is on the Dean’s List at Rutgers-Camden and has received numerous NJAC academic honors. He’s a criminal justice major hoping to pursue a career in law enforcement.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 