Malone Throws 221-1 To Break Her Own U.S. Record At American JavFest

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

If Maggie Malone can throw in Tokyo the way that she did Saturday at East Stroudsburg South High in Pennsylvania, there is a chance that the she could end a 45-year Olympic Games medal drought for the U.S. in the javelin. 

"It's so rare to be somewhere (for a meet) and everyone's here just for the javelin," Malone said while addressing the crowd after improving upon her American record with 221-1 (67.40m).

"So thank you, guys. This is amazing."

Malone won the U.S. Olympic Trials and was already sitting at No. 3 in the world before Saturday. Her new career-best solidifies her as a medal contender in Tokyo. The last American man or woman to medal in the javelin was Kate Schmidt, who took bronze in Montreal in 1976. 

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Malone threw the record on her first of three attempts Saturday. 

"I'm thankful to have thrown that. I hope that there's more in the next few weeks," Malone said. "If you guys can keep me in your prayers, I throw Aug. 3 (at the Olympic Games)."

Avione Allgood-Whetstone, who placed third at the Olympic Trials, was second with 184-4 (56.20m). 

If not for Malone, the biggest news would have been Michael Shuey's lifetime-best throw of 281-1 (85.67m) to break the men's meet record. Shuey's sixth and final attempt was the longest throw by an American man since 2007. 

Fellow Olympian Curtis Thompson, the U.S. Trials winner, was second with 265-10 (81.04m).