SOUTH PLAINFIELD—Junior Austin Hudak capped a breakout season for Hammonton High School’s boys track and field team last weekend, placing fourth overall in the javelin throw at the Meet of Champions.
Hudak, who had previously set a personal record of 162 feet at the state Group 3 championships that earned him a bronze medal, bested that mark by more than 13 feet last week, throwing 175-feet, 9-inches.
On his second attempt last week, Hudak broke Hammonton’s school record with a throw of 174-feet, 5-inches. After two more throws, he broke his own record with a mark of 175-feet, 9-inches.
“Austin [Hudak] has been unbelievable this season. Looking back on where he was as a freshman in 2019, the last season he was able to compete, it’s amazing how much he’s developed. He was around 125-feet and then missed all of last season. So to see him throwing like he is now is impressive,” Hammonton coach Jeff Dey said.
Hudak’s teammate, Michael Dogostino, also competed last week in the javelin, with his best throw of 156-feet, 3-inches earning 18th place. Connor Wright earned a berth in the long jump for Hammonton but did not record a successful jump.
Two members of Hammonton’s girls team earned wild card berths to the Meet of Champions and also competed last weekend.
Emma Peretti finished 16th in the discus with a throw of 112 feet, and Emily Dustman was 28th overall in the 200 meter dash, finishing in 26.39 seconds.