Michael Thorn
NCR Reporter
Justin Bennett medaled in the javelin throw at the state track and field meet Saturday.
The Hilliard Middle-Senior High School sophomore placed eighth in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A state track and field meet. He threw it 47.54 meters.
Bennett gave credit to head basketball coach Myron Saunders, who sparked his interest in javelin. Saunders urged Bennett to try it out since no one at the school was competing in it at the time.
Saunders saw a bright future in Bennett upon his first throw. The two had worked together before, since Bennett is also a forward on the basketball team.
“Working out with Coach Myron definitely helped from my freshman year to my sophomore year with throwing javelin,” said Bennett.
The work doesn’t stop at the school gates, as he emphasizes working out his left arm and lats outside of school.
Bennett is naturally right-handed, but after a fractured right arm in his youth, he had to teach himself to do activities with his left hand, including throwing the javelin.
State competitions are intense for the athletes involved. Despite being an underclassman, Bennett said he wasn’t nervous until the rain hit the area, making his run to build up strength slick. The adversity didn’t stop there, as he had to borrow another athlete’s track spikes and use another school’s javelin after his broke.
With all this in mind, Bennett said, “It was a little nerve-racking on my first throw, but I got past it.”
Competing with older competition comes with its challenges.
“It’s a little harder for me because they are more developed into it, doing it for so many years,” Bennett said.
However, three of the state competitors are seniors this year, giving him more confidence going into next year.
With success coming at an early age, Bennett has already started to think about his future with the sport.
“If I can average 50 meters or higher by my senior year, I can get a Division 2 offer.”
He wants to go to college, but does not want to go too far away from his family.
The support of the community is one of the things that keeps Bennett motivated.
“My mom is always posting on Facebook and it’s good seeing the support along the way. Reading all the comments, seeing people cheer me on feels good.”
He is the son of Melissa and Edgar Bennett of Hilliard. The community at The Anchor Church in Callahan also supports Bennett.
“It’s nice knowing you have somebody praying for you and looking out for you in those moments when you need it most,” he said.