Everything came together for Chris Barrett on his fifth attempt in the javelin at the Jack Roddick Invitational.
Even despite some swirling winds on Saturday in Shippensburg, the Northern senior popped a huge throw of 204 feet, 7 inches to win the AAA boys javelin. That throw is a PA No. 1 and a US No. 3 on the season. He's the first Pennsylvania boy this spring to top the 200 foot barrier.
Only two Kansas throwers -- Sam Hankins and Trey Patterson -- have thrown further this season. Hankins has thrown 210-00 at the Lansing Invitational, while Patterson threw 205-1 this past weekend at the Kansas Relays.
Barrett has been inching closer to the 200-foot mark all season long. After throws in the 170s to start the season, Barrett threw 184-6 to win at his home Arctic Blast Invitational. At a home dual meet, he took down that Northern facility record with a toss of 191-3.
Performing well on Ship's all-weather runway is key for Barrett. Of course, he'll return there twice in May, once for the PIAA District 3 Championship and then again a week after for the PIAA State Championships.
His consistency in the opening month of the outdoor season will bode well in an always-competitive boys javelin in Pennsylvania. Barrett has proved that he'll be among the ones to beat on the state -- and national -- level this spring and summer.
Watch an interview with Barrett, and check out other Shippensburg Jack Roddick Invitational links below.
