Karyn McCready doesn't believe in saving her best for last.

And that works out fine, especially when you win an NCAA title.

McCready, a Slippery Rock University senior, won the Division II national championship in the women's javelin May 29 in Walnut, Calif., with a throw of 164 feet.

The throw was the 17th longest by an American competitor this year. The top 24 throwers by June 23 will earn an Olympic Trials berth in Sacramento.

The track trials will be held July 9 through 18 with the women's javelin to be contested on the first day.

McCready's winning throw, which also set a record by a PSAC athlete, came on her first attempt at the NCAA finals.

"There was so much adrenaline I didn't want to waste it," said McCready. "I usually get my best throws on the first throw. That's just how it turns out."

After all the competitors took their first chance, McCready knew her throw would stand up.

"Yeah, it was definitely a big confidence booster," said the Johnstown native. "It was the best throw in Division II, so I knew it would take a lot to beat it."

"Karyn was very consistent all year," said Rock coach John Papa. "She would throw in the 150s every meet.

"She hadn't had that one big throw - yet. We knew it was there. When she got it, she still had five more throws. After seeing everyone else after one throw, she was already ahead by 15 feet and knew we'd just have to wait," Papa added.

McCready certainly was considered one of the favorites coming into the season. She placed third at nationals as a junior with her best throw of 156-1.

"It was definitely one of my main goals entering this year," said McCready. "I set a couple of goals, but that was the main one. I wanted to break to PSAC record and the all-time PSAC record. I got the (latter) but not the PSAC meet record.

"I wanted to win nationals last year. I competed well, but the girl who won it broke the meet record. The two above me graduated, so that gave me extra confidence," McCready added

"We knew with some improvement she could be in contention for the national championship this year," said Papa. "When you make a goal of being a national champion, that's a bit lofty.

"She worked for it, though, all summer, all fall, all winter. It was no fluke. She earned it," Papa added.

While not all of McCready's goals were met, the most important one was.

Now, another goal is still attainable

"Last year, I hoped to hit 160 and that didn't happen," said McCready.

"This year I hoped for 170. That didn't happen either, but I still have one meet left, so who knows?"