HPU’s Rickert Third in Javelin at USATF Jr. Championship

DES MOINES, Iowa — Freshman Christine Rickert of the High Point University women’s track & field team placed third in the javelin at the USATF Jr. National Championship on Friday in Des Moines, Iowa. Rickert’s top throw was 46.98 meters (154-1).

“Christine had a very strong series against national competition, which is a great sign of her growth and maturity,” said HPU assistant coach Eric Dudley. “Some of her best throws this season came in small meets, so this was a big step for her to throw well on a national level.

“Overall, her growth has been great this season. She was very successful in terms of the marks she put up. She didn’t perform so well in some of the bigger meets, which is why this performance on a national level was encouraging. She has really bought into our system, studied the event and she has a great attention to detail. That will be they key to her further development.”

Rickert threw over 46 meters three times and notched her best throw of the day on her sixth and final attempt. The 46.98 meters was just off her High Point University record of 47.78 meters (156-9) from the Liberty Collegiate Invitational in April.

Megan Glasmann won the event with a throw of 50.78 meters (166-7) and Bailey Bars took second at 47.75 meters (156-8).

The meet caps off a stellar freshman season for Rickert, who placed second in the javelin at the Big South Championship. She initially broke the HPU record in the javelin in her first competition, the Wake Forest Open on March 16. She reset the record twice more, the final time being the Liberty Collegiate Invitational. She won the event at three meets.