Mizzou has two javelin throwers competing for NCAA titles

For the first time in Missouri track and field history, two men’s javelin throwers qualified for the NCAA Division I outdoor track and field championships, which begin Wednesday in Eugene, Ore.

Freshman Alex Pascal and senior McCauley Garton also boast top-10 seeds after strong performances at the NCAA West Preliminary.

Pascal, who is from the Cayman Islands, qualified fourth with a throw of 230 feet, 8 inches.

Garton, a Mill Valley graduate, wasn’t far behind. He finished sixth at the regional with a long throw of 228-4.

The only other MU men’s javelin throwers to reach nationals were Darin File (1997-99) and Gary File (2002).

Five other Tigers qualified for the national championships:

▪ Senior pole vaulter Katrine Haarklau is one of 11 athletes to qualify for the field of 24 with the top seed mark of 13-11.

▪ Senior Kearsten Peoples qualified as the eighth seed in the women’s hammer throw with a mark of 207-1. She is the reigning indoor champion and an eight-time All-American.

▪ Senior Jill Rushin earned the No. 10 seed in the shot put at 54-8 3/4. She is a three-time All-American for the Tigers, including an honor for the outdoor shot put last season.

▪ Junior Markesh Woodson, a two-time All-American, qualified 13th in the 100 meters at 10.17 seconds. He was an indoor All-American after finishing fifth in the 60 meters in March and is former outdoor All-American in the 100.

▪ Freshman John Warren is the No. 20 seed in the triple jump after his qualifying mark of 51-4 1/4.

Other Missouri schools

▪ UMKC junior Courtney Frerichs holds the top time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, which begins with semifinals Thursday. The final is Saturday. She won the West Regional in 9:48.30. Sophomore Bryce Miller also qualified in the men’s steeplechase, taking the 12th and final spot. The men’s semifinals are Wednesday and the final is Friday.

▪ Southeast Missouri has two national qualifiers. Senior Blake Smith qualified as the No. 13 seed in the long jump (25-7 1/2) as did sophomore Chris Martin, who is seeded 13th seed in the triple jump (51-8 1/4).

This story was originally published June 9, 2015 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Mizzou has two javelin throwers competing for NCAA titles."