Anthony Liaknovich threw the shot 51 feet tonight for the first time. And 52 feet. And 53 feet. And 54 feet. And 55 feet. And 56 feet.
Liaknovich, a Hammonton junior, PR’d by more than six feet with a 56-10 ¼ Thursday night at the Cherokee Throw Down #1 in the Cherokee gym in Marlton.
That’s No. 8 in Atlantic County indoor history and just three-quarters of an inch off the school record of 57-0 at a Cherokee Throw Down in 2020.
Liaknovich entered the meet with a PR of 50-6 ¾ from the State Group 3 Relays on Saturday at the Bubble. That was his first lifetime 50-foot throw. He threw 49-11 last June at a meet in New Brunswick.
He popped the 56-10 ¼ on his 1st attempt and added a 50-8 ¼ on his 3rd. He fouled on his 2nd and 4th throws.
It was a big meet all-around, with Bishop Eustace senior Shawn Brady throwing a big PR of 55-6 ½ and Glassboro senior Damere Lassiter 54-7 ½ – and five other throwers surpassing 50 feet: Delsea junior Jon Harris [52-4 ½], Willingboro junior Julian Willians [51-3 ½], Paul VI junior Savien Higgs [51-2 ½], Delsea senior Greg Masso [50-6 ½] and Hammonton junior Christian Medina [50-4 ½].
Liaknovich moved into the No. 2 spot in the state this year, behind 2023 indoor and outdoor Meet of Champions winner Josh Huisman of St. Rose, who threw 63-2 late last month at a meet at Ocean Breeze.
Lassiter is No. 3 on the 2024 New Jersey list at 56-2 ½, Brady is No. 5 with his 55-6 ½ and Harris is No. 6 with a 55-5 ½
That 56-10 ¼ is the top throw this year in Group 3 – Harris is 2nd with that 55-5 ½ over the weekend at states relays – and also the top throw by a New Jersey underclassman. Harris is No. 2 on that list as well.
All-Time Atlantic County Indoor Shot Put List
59-9 … Kofi Yamoah [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2013
58-10 … James Plummer [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2013
58-9 ½ … Dave Dixon [Mainland Reg.], 1987
58-4 ½ .. .Curtis Fitzpatrick [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2013
57-9 ½ … Dontaye Rivera [Pleasantville], 2011
57-9 … Cade Antonucci [Holy Spirit], 2016
56-11 … Nate Karl [Hammonton], 2020
56-10 ¼ … Anthony Liaknovich [Hammonton], 2024
55-3 ½ … Steve Hansen [Holy Spirit], 1982
53-11 … Gabriel Wilkins [Absegami], 2024
53-8 ½ … Darren Wan [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2016
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 