Matt Kosecki, 14, son of 1980 Knoch graduate Rick Kosecki, set a national record throw in the javelin at the recent USA Track & Field Junior Olympics in Indianapolis, Ind.

Competing for the Track Houston track club out of Houston, Texas, Kosecki tossed the javelin 179 feet, 2 inches, a record for his age group.

Kosecki also finished third in the discus, marking a throw of 160 feet, 5 inches.

He finished the 2005 season ranked No. 1 nationally in the javelin and the discus. His best discus throw is 185 feet.

Should Kosecki maintain his status as one of the best throwers in his age group, he will qualify for the USAT&F world youth team in 2007.

That team - selected every two years - will compete in Beijing, China.

Kosecki began competing in the javelin in 2001 with a javelin designed by world champion and record holder Tom Petranof.

Since July of 2004, Kosecki has placed first in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics National Championships in Eugene, Ore., the Regional Championships in Arlington, Texas, and the Regional Championships in Fort Worth, Texas.

His father played football and ran track and field at Knoch.