Curtis Thompson, Florence’s javelin Olympian, uncorked two of the eight-best throws of his life Saturday night.
Thompson opened his series at the USATF Throws Festival at Roy P. Drachman Stadium on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson with a throw of 266-5, No. 5 in his career. He followed that with a 264-8, his 8th-best throw ever.
Although he had thrown 260 feet or more in 10 meets before Saturday, this was the first time he had thrown 260 feet more than once in any meet. Four of his nine-best lifetime throws have now come since March 25.
U.S. all-time No. 5 Tim Glover threw 271-8 on his 5th attempt – his best throw in seven years and No. 16 in the world this year – to win the event. Glover’s PR is 275-10 from 2015.
Thompson followed his two big throws with a foul, a 251-5, another foul and a closing 254-4.
Thompson ranks No. 16 in U.S. history with his PR of 271-11 and has a season best of 268-1 from last month, No. 1 among U.S. men this year and No. 20 in the world.
Thompson’s next meets are the Music City Track Carnival in Nashville on June 5, two meets in Canada in June – Harry Jerome in Burnaby June 14 and then the Victoria Track Classic two days later in Victoria – and then the USATF National Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., June 23-26.
Here’s a look at all the 260-foot throws of Thompson’s life:
271-11… Olympic Trials, Hayward Field, Eugene, July 4, 2016
271-7 … Olympic Trials, Hayward Field, Eugene, June 21, 2021
268-1 … Oregon Relays, Hayward Field, Eugene, April 23, 2022
267-2 … USATF Throws Festival, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 22, 2021
266-5 … USATF Throws Festival, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 21, 2022
265-10 … American JavFest, East Stroudsburg [Pa.] South High School, July 17, 2021
265-10 … Florida State Relays, Mike Long Track, Tallahassee, Fla., March 25, 2016
264-8 … USATF Throws Festival, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 21, 2022
263-10 … 94th annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, Mike A. Myers Stadium, Austin, Texas, March 25, 2022
260-11 … American JavFest, East Stroudsburg [Pa.] South High School, July 30, 2016
260-1 … NACAC Under-23, San Salvador, Estadio Jorge “Mágico” González, June 17, 2016
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 