Toronto ? Former Kansas University javelin thrower Scott Russell broke his 6-year-old Canadian national record in the event last week at the Toronto International Track and Field Games. Russell’s toss of 278 feet, 3 inches is the eighth-best in the world this year.

The 32-year-old Russell is currently teaching and coaching at Basehor-Linwood Middle School while he trains in his spare time.

The record-setting performance earned him a spot in the World Championships that will take place next month in Daegu, South Korea. Russell, who is originally from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, will also look to qualify for a spot on the Canadian National Team for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He placed 10th at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Russell, who competed at KU from 1998-2002, earned All-America honors six times, claimed five conference championship titles in three different events and was crowned a national champion in 2002.