American JavFest

Welcome to the 2018 American JavFest

The NSAF is looking forward to hosting its 4th annual American JavFest on Friday-Sunday, June 29-July 1, 2018 at East Stroudsburg High School in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

As has been the case during most of the previous JavFests, the weekend will include competition at every age and ability level, plus great teaching and educational opportunities. This year, the Youth (Under-15) and High School athletes will be competing Friday and then the Open/Elite athletes on Sunday. While 2018 isn't an Olympic or World Championship year, elites in past JavFests have successful chased qualifying marks that enabled them to join Team USA for those meets.

The middle day, Saturday, will be "Javelin School Day," with an opportunity to learn from same of the world's best coaches in a clinic environment. Friday night, meanwhile, will feature the immensely popular Roundtable Panel/Open Discussion -- a chance to learn, hear amazing stories and ask questions of these same mentors.

The JavFest is intended to be a stateside version of the great Pihtipudas Javelin Carnival in Finland. It is meant to share the joys of the javelin with throwers of all ages. The unique event allows athletes, coaches and fans of the sport to be fully engaged educationally, socially and competitively.

2018 Coaching Staff

Jeff Gorski: Founder, with the NSAF, of Project Javelin Gold, as well as former USATF Javelin High Performance chair, founder of Klub Keihas and his own "Field of Dreams." Also coach of many elite throwers and U.S. record holders (including Pukstys and Krammes), both in high school and elite levels, and a 2-time USATF finalist, 1981 U.S. National Team member and 3-time All-ACC performer at UNC. He has recently reunited with his alma mater as throws coach.
Barry Krammes: Recently retired elite thrower, 2x U.S. Olympic Trials finalist (6th in 2008), and high school coach at East Stroudsburg South. Barry has been the host of the American JavFest each year.
Kim Hamilton: NCAA All American and 2-time US Olympic Trials finalist.
Sean Furey: 2-time Olympian, plus four other Team USA berths (2x World Champs, Pan American Games, Pan American Sports Fest). Was 12th in 2009 World Champs. 3-time US Champ and 6 total times top 3.

2018 Schedule of Events

Thursday, June 28

7:30pm Introductory meeting/registration at Hampton Inn, Stroudsburg, PA

Friday, June 29

10:00am-noon Registration/check-in at East Stroudsburg South HS

JavFest Competitions

Noon-1:00pm High School girls competition (non-elite; includes U-15 girls)
1:30pm-2:30pm High School boys competition (non-elite; includes U-15 boys)

3:00pm-4:00pm High School Elite Girls
4:30pm-5:30pm High School Elite Boys

7:30pm-9:30pm Roundtable Panel/Open discussion at at Hampton Inn
with Elite Coaches and Athletes!

Saturday, June 30

CLINIC
8:30am-2:00pm Registration/check-in at East Stroudsburg South HS
9:00am-10:00am General warm up and training
10:00am-noon Javelin school by group age/experience
2:00pm-4:00pm Javelin school by group age/experience

Sunday, July 1

10:00am-completion Registration/check-in at East Stroudsburg South HS

JavFest Competitions

11am-12:00pm Non Elite Open Women (includes masters)
12:30pm-1:30pm Non Elite Open Men (includes masters)

2:00pm-3:00pm Elite women
3:30pm-4:30pm Elite men

2017 JavFest: Hostetler, Ince, Mitchell and Baker!

Elite Men: With efforts of 83.02m (272-4) and 83.12 (272-8), Cyrus Hostetler beat the IAAF World Championships qualifying standard (83.00) and 2015 champ Riley Dolezal (81.07/266-0). Hostetler revved up the crowd, justified their cheers with his first big throw, then celebrated with yells, fist pumps and a joyful sprint down the right side of the sector -- high-fiving fans and getting a hug from NSAF board member Tracy Sundlun. Penn State grad Michael Shuey was 3rd at 262-2, followed by Timothy VanLiew (256-1), McLean Lipschutz (252-6) and 2016 champ Curtis Thompson (249-2).
Elite Women: Ariana Ince threw a big PR and meet-winning 61.38m/201-4 on her 3rd throw -- #5 all-time U.S. and becoming the 7th American over 200. Though she was 2cm short of the World standard of 61.40, she moved up high enough on the world list that she made the field anyway. Ince had also won the '15 JavFest, as well as the '17 Iron Wood Throws Classic. LSU grad Rebecca Wales was 2nd at 183-8, and Lia Negra 3rd at 154-3.
Prep Boys: With a breakout 207-6 on his 4th throw, NSAF Project Jav junior Roman Mitchell broke his 2016 PR by 14 inches and captured the title. He was followed by Sam Hankins at 204-3, Ty Hampton 201-3, Zechariah Blake 198-0, Chris Putnam 194-8 and Joe Nizich 182-4.
Prep Girls: Project newcomer Dana Baker fired a big PR 169-2 for the victory, the best girls' prep major meet throw in '17 and #13 all-time. She was followed by Skylar Ciccolini at 162-6, Erin McMeniman 148-11, Lillian Hill 143-6, Rachel Kern 139-3 and Gabbie D'Amore 133-4.

Previous Years

2016: Former NBNO All-American Curtis Thompson won the Men’s Elite division with 260-11, while two-time Olympic Trials finalist Kim Hamilton won the Women’s Elite competition with 186-6. The Prep Boys’ and Girls’ winners were Eric Garner (208-2) and Cambrie Campbell (135-1). Prep runner-ups Gavin Darcy (206-4) and Lillian Hill (130-10) both sophomores at the time – were invited to join the NSAF’s Project Javelin Gold after the weekend.
2015: NBNO champ Michael Biddle outdueled World Youth Team USA member Liam Christensen, 211-11 to 209-5 for the Prep Boys’ title, while Sophia Rivera edged Katelyn Gochenour, 159-9 to 159-6, in a battle of World Youth finalists (and NBNO 1-2 finishers). Christensen, Rivera and Gochenour all were (or are currently) Project Javelin members. The Elite titles went to Riley Dolezal (265-1) and Arianna Ince (170-11).