Rancocas Valley Kevin Burr Jr. first picked up a javelin in April. On Thursday, he threw over 200 feet.
Burr Jr., one of the wildest stories in 2023 New Jersey track, took 2nd in the javelin Thursday at the Meet of Champions just two months after first trying the event.
He threw a lifetime-best 204-4, No. 7 in South Jersey history with the new implement, first used in 2003. Field event series weren’t provided in the results because the NJSIAA doesn’t care about track and field and has no clue how to run a track meet.
But Burr Jr. placed 2nd to Mahwah’s George Kalkanis, who won with a lifetime-best of his own at 205-9. Nonetheless, a remarkable season for Burr, who threw 132-1 and 141-9 in his first two meets before hitting 179-9 at the County Open.
He took off from there with PRs of 187-7 at the Olympic Conference Championships and 193-4 at sectionals. He won county, conference, sectional and state titles before a close second in the MoC.
Kalkanis and Burr are ranked No. 10 and 13 in the U.S. according to MileSplit’s national database.
Rancocas Valley has produced two meet of Champions javelin champs – Jason Cowden in 1999 and Nick Mirabelli with his state-record 227-10 in 2018. Mirabelli’s father Mark has worked with Burr Jr. this spring.
Burr Jr.’s 204-4 is the best mark by a South Jersey thrower in six years and the 7th-best mark ever by a South Jersey thrower at the Meet of Champions.
There have been 10 200-foot throwers with the current javelin and half of them are from Burlington County.
Burr and Kalkanis are both entered in West Philly Nationals. The championship javelin is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday at Franklin Field.
All-Time Meet of Champions 200-Foot List
227-10 … Nick Mirabelli [Rancocas Valley], 2018 [1]
224-10 … Curtis Thompson [Florence], 2014 [1]
220-11 … Cade Antonucci [Holy Spirit], 2017 [1]
214-6 … Chris Mirabelli [Holy Cross], 2013 [1]
213-2 … Kaleb Zuidema [Midland Park], 2011 [1]
212-5 … Dean Sullivan [Delbarton], 2011 [2]
212-2 … Alexander Georgiou [Timber Creek], 2017 [2]
211-7 …….. Mirabelli, 2014 [2]
209-4 … Steven Jernee [Ocean City], 2017 [3]
208-11 … Kevin Seery [Hanover Park], 2011 [3]
208-1 … Jason Santa Cruz [Old Tappan], 2019 [1]
207-6 …….. Zuidema [Midland Park], 2010 [1]
206-1 … Mike Brazzel [North Arlington], 2014 [3]
205-9 … George Kalkanis [Mahwah], 2023 [1]
205-8 …….. Antonucci, 2016 [1]
205-2 … Stephen Burk [Parsippany], 2012 [1]
204-4 … Kevin Burr Jr. [Rancocas Valley], 2023 [2]
204-3 … Marion Easley [Somerville], 2005 [1]
202-9 … Brian Florek [Old Bridge], 2007 [1]
202-0 … Steve Pierce [Ridgewood], 2006 [1]
201-1 …….. Florek, 2008 [1]
200-8 … Seth Zuidema [Midland Park], 2014 [4]
200-3 … Cody Unger [Jefferson], 2008 [2]
All-Time State Javelin List
New Implement [since 2003]
227-10 … Nick Mirabelli [Rancocas Valley], 2017
224-10 … Curtis Thompson [Florence], 2014
224-1 … Kaleb Zuidema [Midland Park], 2010
220-11 … Cade Antonucci [Holy Spirit], 2016
217-9 … Dean Sullivan [Delbarton], 2011
216-6 … Chris Mirabelli [Holy Cross], 2014
212-2 … Alexander Georgia [Timber Creek], 2017
209-11 … Steven Burk [Parsippany], 2012
209-5 … Kevin Steimle [Mahwah], 2009
209-4 … Steve Jernee [Ocean City], 2017
209-0 … Josh Suttmeier [North Huntedon], 2010
208-11 … Kevin Seery [Hanover Park], 2011
208-6 … Robert Paneque [Jackson Memorial], 2022
208-1 … Jason Santa Cruz [Old Tappan], 2019
207-7 … Seth Zuidema [Midland Park], 2014
206-11 … Erik Heymann [Westwood], 2005
206-7 … Chris Arias [CBA], 2020
206-6 … Ryan Gebhardt [Walkill Valley], 2015
206-1 … Mike Brazzel [North Arlington], 2014
206-0 … Brian Florek [Old Bridge], 2008
205-11 … Rob Scales [Middletown South], 2004
205-9 … George Kalkanis [Mahwah], 2023
204-4 … Kevin Burr Jr. [Rancocas Valley], 2023
204-3 … Marion Easley [Somerville], 2005
203-7 … Jim Malizia [St. Joe’s Reg.], 2002
203-6 … Stephen Benigno [Cherry Hill East], 2014
202-10 … Chandler Balter [Livingston], 2013
202-6 … Jeff Gingerella [Wood-Ridge], 2008
202-6 … Jim Tully [CBA], 2010
202-4 … Brandon Heroux [Westfield], 2008
202-2 … Mark Paski [Delbarton], 2006
202-0 … Steven Pierce [Ridgewood], 2006
201-8 … Dajon Chappell [Morris Hills], 2017
201-6 … Joe Martinek [Hopatcong], 2007
201-5 … Zachary Torrell [Lacey Twp.], 2011
201-4 … Will Gonzalez [Cedar Grove], 2010
201-1 … Sean Biehn [Burlington City], 2006
200-8 … Cade Antonucci [Holy Spirit], 2016
200-7 … John Dixon [Ridgefield Park], 1996
200-3 … Cody Unger [Jefferson Twp.], 2008
200-2 … Kyle Elliott [Cresskill], 2008
All-Time South Jersey Javelin List
New Implement [since 2003]
227-10 … Nick Mirabelli [Rancocas Valley], 2017
224-10 … Curtis Thompson [Florence], 2014
220-11 … Cade Antonucci [Holy Spirit], 2016
216-6 … Chris Mirabelli [Holy Cross], 2014
212-2 … Alexander Georgia [Timber Creek], 2017
209-4 … Steve Jernee [Ocean City], 2017
204-4 … Kevin Burr Jr. [Rancocas Valley], 2023
203-6 … Stephen Benigno [Cherry Hill East], 2014
201-1 … Sean Biehn [Burlington City], 2006
200-8 … Cade Antonucci [Holy Spirit], 2016
199-10 … Kobe Roberts [Mainland Reg.], 2018
196- 9 … Terrence Smith [Oakcrest], 2016
195-11 … Joshua Moore [Middle Twp.], 2017
194-5 … Austin Hudak [Hammonton], 2022
192- 6 … Matt Rafferty (Northern Burlington), 2012
192- 6 … Chris Reider (Eastern), 2010
192- 3 … Shane McDevitt (Cinnaminson), 2014
192- 1 … Nick Cando [Eastern], 2004
191- 6 … Robert Marks (Rancocas Valley), 2016
191- 5 … Andrew Pierce (Cumberland Reg.), 2009
190- 2 … Ian Meneswisch (Highland), 2003
190- 0 … Andrew Forbes (Williamstown), 2011
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 