JAVELIN
Preliminary Round, Saturday, Final, Sunday
Best U.S.: 7th, Chad Brown (2003), Devin Bogert (2009).
Liam Christensen of Academic Magnet (North Charleston, S.C.) goes to a school with no track in a state that does not throw the javelin in high school. So it was somewhat surprising to see him win the U.S. trials at 224-3 - a personal best by more than 20 feet. Even so, he will have "work to do." The leading WYC entrant is world Youth leader Niklas Kaul of German at 275-5 followed by Vladislav Palyunin of Uzbek stand at 259-5 and Conor Warren of Australia at 253-1. A slim ray of hope for Christensen - a throw of 227-1 is likely to make the WYC final.