Pedigo breaks Penn Relays high school javelin record

By Brian Towey of DyeStat

PHILADELPHIA – At the end of a long approach, Tzuriel Pedigo sent his javelin skyward and the momentum of his follow through sent him tumbling to the apron.

Programming Note: You can watch the live Webcast here of the meet Saturday. The USATF.TV broadcast and on-demand videos will only be available for USATF.TV +PLUS subscribers. Subscribe here.

When the javelin bit into the ground near 75 meters, Pedigo leapt jubilantly.

“Yes! Yes!” he said, pumping his fists.

Pedigo, a senior from Parkview Baptist in Baton Rouge, La., broke the Penn Relays high school javelin record Friday with 238 feet, 6 inches (72.72m). It’s a personal best and moves him to No. 6 all-time.

Wyoming Area PA senior Marc Anthony Minichello was second with 202-2.

Pedigo has recently finished his course work through an online program at home so that he can graduate early. He has not been allowed to attend regular classes at his school and does not compete with his track team in Louisiana.

Pedigo was arrested last summer after an alleged sexual assault on a female classmate. He was released on bond and has not been formally charged with a crime.

He has traveled to compete this spring at Texas Relays, the Oregon Relays, and Penn Relays – winning the javelin competition at all three meets.

"I'm here to talk about the javelin," said David Pedigo, Tzuriel’s father, when asked about his son’s legal situation. "There's too much negative (attention). We can't comment on it."

Pedigo has emerged as one of the country’s most talented young throwers. The javelin has given him something constructive to focus on.

"You get to the end of the season and you look at the rankings list," David Pedigo said. "You see who is ahead of you. You see where they will be and how many you can top. We went to Oregon Relays because (Sawyer) Christopher was ahead of him. We are here at Penn Relays because (Gavin) Darcy and (Nickolas) Mirabelli were ahead of him. He went to Texas Relays because he wanted to defend his meet record."

High School Boys Discus

Madison OH junior Nolan Landis has drawn support in the throws from a big advocate: Jordan Geist. Landis finished fifth in the discus (188-2; 57.32m) behind four Jamaican athletes, led by winner Kia Chang (212-6). A former football player for Erie Prep PA, Landis belongs to the same throws club as Geist, the Long Strong West Elite Throws (LSWE).

"He's definitely been a big mentor for me," Landis said. "Western Pennsylvania was very strong in the throws last year. I call it a fraternity. (They are) brothers. I called (Geist) before this meet and asked him what my mindset should be."

High School Boys High Jump

Lushane Wilson of St. Jago (Jamaica) defended his title and he got the crowd rocking with his clearance at 7-1. The top U.S. jumper, Jadon Watson of Kennedy NJ, was second and cleared 6-9.

High School Boys Shot Put

Rasheeda Downer of Kingston College (Jamaica) threw 63-2.50 to pull out a narrow win over C.J. Licata of Gill St. Bernard’s NJ (63-1.25).

College Women’s Discus

Florida State’s Shanice Love won her second Penn Relays title in the discus and her first as a Seminole. Love threw 184 feet and beat Isheka Binns of the University of West Indies by seven inches.

Two years ago, Love broke the Penn Relays high school record when she threw 179-6 for Excelsior (Jamaica).

College Men’s Shot Put

Florida State’s Austin Droogsma threw 66-2.75 (20.19m) to win the second throws title of the day for the Seminoles.