HPU’s Spaulding Heads to U.S. Jr. National Championship

High Point University freshman Christian Spaulding competes in the javelin at the U.S. Junior National Championship on Friday at 6 p.m. in Bloomington, Ind. The meet typically features the best college freshmen and high school athletes in the nation.

Spaulding is ranked ninth going into the event with his season-best throw of 64.45 meters (211-5). He placed third at the Big South Championship with that throw. He finished his collegiate season placing 20th in the javelin at the NCAA Prelimiary in Jacksonville, Fla., on May 24. He threw the javelin 63.62 meters (208-9) that day.

Originally from Middletown, N.J., Spaulding placed fifth in the high school national championship last year. His career best coming out of high school was 60.46 meters (198-4).

Spaulding was one of four HPU men’s track athletes to finish in the top 20 at the NCAA Preliminary in May. Junior Jacob Smith placed 12th and junior Dakota Peachee placed 20th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Sophomore Evan Emery placed 18th in the 100-meter dash. Smith’s 12th place finish qualified him for the NCAA Final in Des Moines, Iowa, where he placed 19th.