LHS javelin throwers finish top 15 at Junior Olympics

Lawrence High senior Hunter Krom sprints up the runway in the men's javelin during the USATF Junior Olympics on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Rock Chalk Park.

After each throw in the javelin Saturday at Rock Chalk Park, Lawrence High senior Hunter Krom walked back to a huddle with his fellow competitors.

Krom didn’t have the day he had hoped at the USA Track and Field National Junior Olympics, but that didn’t stop him from admiring some of the best throws from others.

In the men’s 17-18 year old division, Krom placed 13th with a top throw of 172 feet, 11 inches. Only the top eight marks advanced to the finals.

Three throwers surpassed the 200-foot mark and Chandler Ault, from Midland, Mich., eventually won the event with a toss of 215-7.

“It’s fun to watch,” Krom said. “You get to see all of the different styles and see things that you can actually improve on yourself and all that.”

Krom, who won a USATF regional earlier this month, didn’t reach his usual distances. He needed to hit 185 feet to make it to the finals.

“Just a bad day,” said Krom, a running back for the LHS football team. “You have your good days and your bad days. It sucks but it happens…. Just didn’t go as far as I thought it would.”

Despite not making the finals, Krom was happy that he qualified for the Junior Olympics. He said the field of competitors was another level beyond anything he’s seen at the Kansas Relays or state meet.

That contributed to his mix of nerves and excitement when he arrived to the stadium Saturday morning.

“I’ve never thrown in a meet this big,” Krom said. “Lots of people watching, family and friends. Lot of good competitors.

“Just being here is an accomplishment for me.”

Harris takes 14th in javelin

Amaya Harris, an incoming freshman at Lawrence High, only started using a regular-sized javelin within the last year and she’s proud of her progress.

Throughout the past few years, she’s used the turbo javelin, a smaller model to help athletes work on their form.

Competing in the Junior Olympics for the first time since 2012, Harris took 14th place with a best throw of 103 feet, 3 inches among 15-16 year old girls.

“Everyone did a good job,” Harris said. “They threw pretty far. But I feel like if I keep trying, I can get as far as them.”

Lawrence High freshman Amaya Harris prepares to throw the javelin during the USATF Junior Olympics on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Rock Chalk Park.

Harris, who attended South Middle School, did the girls triathlon at the Junior Olympics in Baltimore when she was younger, which includes the 200-meter dash, shot put and high jump.

During the middle school track season, which doesn’t offer the javelin, she is a sprinter and throws the shot put.

Competing at Rock Chalk Park gave Harris a different atmosphere than her previous summer events.

“It’s pretty cool because my family and friends are here to watch me,” Harris said. “In Baltimore, there was just my grandma, my coach and my grandpa. My whole family is here so it gives me more confidence.”

Final numbers top 8k

After counting athletes who registered on site, USA Track and Field officials said there are approximately 8,129 athletes competing at Rock Chalk Park this week.

The Junior Olympics will conclude Sunday.