Millville senior Leah Howard uncorked one of the top javelin throws in New Jersey history Saturday, breaking the 150-foot plateau for the first time at the Lenape Invitational.
Howard threw 151-10, No. 9 in state history since U.S. high schools went to a new javelin implement in 2002 and No. 5 in South Jersey history.
That’s a qualifier for the USATF Under-20 Championships (formerly U.S. Junior Championships) scheduled for July at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. The standard is 149-3 (45.5 meters).
According to the MileSplit national database, Howard’s throw is No. 11 in the U.S. so far this outdoor season.
Looks like it will rank about No. 26 among U.S. women so far this spring according to the World Athletics U.S. list.
Howard’s previous PR was a 148-2 from her win at the state Group 4 meet last year at Franklin High. She approached that with a 146-2 in her opener last weekend in Deptford before popping her PR on Saturday.
After a foul on her 1st attempt, Howard PR’d with a 149-0 on her 2nd throw before hitting the big throw on her third attempt. She fouled again on her 4th and final throw.
She’s New Jersey’s first 150-footer since Oakcrest’s Brielle Smith set the state record of 163-8 at the 2019 Woodbury Relays.
All-Time South Jersey 140-Foot Javelin List
168- 6 … Brielle Smith [Oakcrest], 2019
160- 8 … Maria Jimenez [Vineland], 2012
152- 9 … Kate Johnston [Haddonfield], 2012
152- 4 … Jill Shaner [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2009
151-10 … Leah Howard [Millville], 2023
148- 8 … Caitlin Cielo [Eastern], 2002
146- 7 … Victoria Imbesi [Our Lady of Mercy], 2008
143-11 … Ayana Culhane [Absegami], 2016
142- 6 … Kaela Schrier [Cherokee], 2016
142- 1 … Alexa Gardner [Hammonton], 2018
141- 6 … Lindsay Minch [Pennsville], 2009
141- 5 … Kelly Yanucil [Bordentown], 2013
141- 1 … Tumelo Nwanma [Vineland], 2016
141- 0 … Jocelyn McRae [Millville], 2006
140- 8 … Julianne Foering [Rancocas Valley], 2017
140- 0 … Melissa Lake [Cherokee], 2011
All-Time New Jersey 150-Foot Javelin List
163- 8 … Brielle Smith (Oakcrest), 2018
160- 8 … Maria Jimenez (Vineland), 2012
155- 8 … Daina Pucurs (Demarest), 2004
155- 0 … Jamie Klein (Paramus Catholic), 2011
154-11 … Nia Barnes (West Orange), 2011
152- 9 … Katherine Johnston (Haddonfield), 2012
152- 4 … Jill Shaner (Egg Harbor Twp.), 2009
152- 3 … Shauntierah Douglas (Garfield), 2012
151-10 … Leah Ellis [Millville], 2023
151- 6 … Nicole Woods [Northern Valley-Demarest], 2022
150- 5 … Alianna Eucker [Bergen Tech], 2019
Before the javelin implement changed, there were only eight 150-foot throwers in New Jersey, including the national record holder and two South Jersey girls.
198-8 … Barbara Friedrich [Manasquan], 1967
159-8 … Amy Krilla [Red Bank Catholic], 2000
156-6 … Audra Corson [Monmouth Reg.], 1985
154-8 … Lynlee Phillips [Shawnee], 1999
152-7 … Emma Painter [Clayton], 1980
152-3 … Rena Antanellis [Randolph], 1980
150-9 … Jen Austin [Garfield], 2000
150-2 … Jill Watts [Morristown], 1978
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 