Florence Olympian Curtis Thompson destroyed his six-year old javelin PR at the American JavFest Saturday and uncorked the best throw by an American in 15 years.
Thompson threw a mind-boggling 287-9, the No. 7 mark in the world this year.
It’s also No. 3 in U.S. history, behind only Breaux Greer [American record 299-6 in Indianapolis in 2007] and Tom Petranoff [292-6 in Potchefstroom, Russia, in 1991].
So he improved nearly 16 feet in one day and he’s now less than 12 feet from the American record.
Thompson’s previous PR was 271-11 from the 2016 Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.
Thompson broke the meet record of 281-0 set last year by Olympian Michael Shuey. That was also previously the best throw on Pennsylvania soil.
In all, Thompson PR’d twice and recorded three of the five-best throws of his life despite only taking four throws.
He opened with a PR 273-4 before blasting the 287-9 on his second attempt. He followed that with a 269-7 and then a 246-9 before shutting down and passing his final two throws with Worlds just a week away.
Thompson goes into the World Championships in Eugene next week ranked No. 49 in world history.
Here’s a look at all of Thompson’s 260-foot throws:
287-9 … American JavFest, East Stroudsburg [Pa.] South High School, July 9, 2022
273-4 … American JavFest, East Stroudsburg [Pa.] South High School, July 9, 2022
271-11… Olympic Trials, Hayward Field, Eugene, July 4, 2016
271-7 … Olympic Trials, Hayward Field, Eugene, June 21, 2021
269-7 …American JavFest, East Stroudsburg [Pa.] South High School, July 9, 2022
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
265-7 … Victoria Track Classic, Centennial Stadiumn, Victoria, British Columbia, June 15, 2022
264-8 … USATF Throws Festival, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 21, 2022
264-1 … USATF Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore., June 26, 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 
Congratulations to Curtis Thompson and the rest of our South Jersey athletes who will be competing at the World Championship. Thanks Roob for all of your hard work on keeping us up to date on SJ TRACK and Field.
Roob I did a little research, you might want to go back and review some of Willingboro’s Championships. To the best of my knowledge, Willingboro didn’t win a Spring Title in 1981 and 1987. Please get back to me at your earliest convenience. Thanks my friend.
LikeLike