CLAREMONT, CA. 5/26/12 – It's only Saturday, but Keene State College's Glenn Guilmette has already had a memorable Memorial Day weekend. For the second year in a row, Guilmette is an All-American in the javelin. The junior from Kensington, N.H. uncorked a school record and personal best throw of 217'-09' to finish fourth in the event at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College on Saturday.
"I had a real good warm-up, so I felt this was going to be my day," said a confident Guilmette. "This is my third time to the nationals. I was excited, but not nervous."
His positive mindset was complemented by favorable weather conditions. With temperatures in the mid-60s, no humidity and a slight tail win, he knew the javelins would be flying.
Competing in the first of two flights, Guilmette was on target right from the start of the competition, unleashing a throw of 216 '-10.75 " in his first attempt.
"It was a very good throw, but I noticed he slowed up a bit right before his release," said KSC throwing Coach John Napolitano. "I told him he needed to accelerate a little more and follow all the way through with his throw."
Heeding his coaches' advice, Guilmette launched a missile that landed 217'-09" away and landed him on the podium. "Once I let it go, I knew it was good," said Guilmette. "Everything clicked."
"Glenn couldn't have picked a better time to come through with his best throw," said Napolitano. "The field was really strong and he needed a bomb."
Tim Van Liew, a junior from Rutgers-Camden, won the event and national title with a mark of 220'-05".
Guilmette has improved every year at the Championships. After failing to make the finals as a freshman, he finished fifth as a sophomore. "I'm real happy with my performance, but I know I can do better, Guilmette said. "Hopefully, I'll get a chance to come back next spring and do even better."
The news on the track wasn't as good for senior Andrea Walsh of Bolton, Conn, who placed 11th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase race with a time of 10:55.97. It was Walsh's second try at earning All-America honors. She finished 13th at last year's meet.
Junior Maggie Fitter (Branford, Conn.), the third KSC competitor at the championship, didn't qualify for the finals in the 800-meter race.
