Leah Howard of Millville unloaded the No. 11 javelin throw in the country this season and one of the best in state history when she sent the spear soaring 151-10 at Saturday's Lenape Invitational in Medford.
Howard's massive missile moves her into the No. 9 spot in New Jersey history, and is the the furthest throw by a NJ girl since Brielle Smith of Oakcrest set the state record (with the current implement that's been used since 2002) of 168-6 at the 2019 Woodbury Relays.
The Texas Tech-bound Howard, who opened her season with a 146-2 at the Deptford Relays last week, broke her PR by nearly four feet. Her previous best was a 148-2 that she threw to win the State Group 4 title last June.
Howard is one of 11 girls to throw over 150 feet this season in the country. Ten of those girls are all in the 150 feet range and the US No. 1 is Trinity Spooner of South Beauregard High in Longville, Louisiana, who threw a US No. 11 All-Time 171-11 at the Texas Relays.
Lenape Invitational Elite Performers
6 performances met the MileSplit US Second Team standard.
| HS GIRLS | MARK | ATHLETE | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 800 Meter Run Finals | 2:19.51 | Alexis Tepper | Cherry Hill East HS |
| Javelin Finals | 151-10 | Leah Howard | Millville HS |
| Long Jump Finals | 17-8 | Sophia Curtis | Ocean City HS |
| Pole Vault Finals | 10-6 | Hannah Byrd-Leitner | Moorestown HS |
| Triple Jump Finals | 38-1.25 | I'mara Ford | Moorestown HS |
| Triple Jump Finals | 40-1 | Sophia Curtis | Ocean City HS |