Greer breaks record
INDIANAPOLIS – Breaux Greer broke the American javelin record for the second time this year and won his eighth consecutive national title Thursday on the opening night of the U.S. track and field championships.
With the help of a tailwind, Greer threw 299 feet, 6 inches on his second attempt to break the record of 297-7 set with his first throw of the season, at the Adidas Classic in Carson, Calif., on May 20.
“I took it easy on the first one but I missed it,” he said. “I wanted to hit one clean. I backed off, went about 75 percent. I didn’t hit it hard but I hit it clean. It shows me there’s quite a few more meters in there.”
The wisecracking thrower from Monroe, La., who now lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., raised his arms in triumph after the big throw. He passed on his remaining four throws.
“I’m sorry I’m boring today,” he joked. “I’m kind of tired. I took two throws. I’m used to taking one.”
Greer, who owns the world’s top two marks in the event in this still-young season, brushed aside his fourth U.S. record throw.
“Honestly, it doesn’t mean anything to me,” he said. “One, because there’s a lot more there. Two, because breaking that doesn’t give me a worlds medal.”
Only race-walker Henry Laskau has won more consecutive U.S. track titles. He won 11 in a row from 1948 to 1958.
In the evening’s final event at the Carroll Stadium on the edge of downtown Indianapolis, Deena Kastor won her fifth U.S. 10,000-meter title (31:57).
Local watch
Former CC Spokane athlete Shae Murray (Northwest Christian), was ninth in the men’s javelin with a mark of 235-7. … Former Mead High School standout Nikki Codd qualified for today’s finals in the 800-meter run by placing second in her heat and seventh overall in the preliminary race at the junior track and field championships, also being held in Indianapolis. Codd, who will run for Northern Arizona University, finished in 2:08:14. … Eastern Washington University freshman and Gonzaga Prep graduate Erica Chaney also competed in the junior meet. She had a throw of 43-2 1/2 in the shot put to finish 17th out of 27. She will compete in the javelin today.