CATHOLIC'S PAUL CATALANATTO COMPETES IN THE 2023 LHSAA STATE OUTDOOR MEET!
Catholic High's Paul Catalanatto opened his senior season with a bang on Saturday at the Catholic Tip Off Invitational. Catalanatto had a personal record 215-01 in the boys javelin to move to No. 1 in the United States."
"Training has been pretty good this off season," Catalanatto said. "I knew that I was capable of hitting one. I would say it's a pretty good opening weekend."
Catalanatto surpasses Preston Kuznof of Port Orange Atlantic HS who had a 214-11 at the 20th annual East Coast Classic on February 23rd in Florida.
Two other throws in the series were over 212-0, which is three feet beyond his 209-8 season best in 2023. "
"When it left my hand, I knew it was going far," Catalanatto said. "It flew decently well, but I know I have more to come and more things to fix in my throw."
The LSU commit finished his junior season as the No. 13 best in the nation with personal record of 209-8 in a runner-up performance at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. Coming into the season, Catalanatto was ranked No. 3 in the nation among returning javelin throwers.
Catalanatto won the competition by over 50 feet. His closest competition was his teammate, junior Robert Conley who had a personal record of 162-5.
"It feels great to be No. 1, but I am not letting it get in my head," Catalanatto said. "I know that it means nothing to be No. 1 if you cannot back it up with more throws in more big meets."
As far as goals, Catalanatto does not have a number he is looking for.
"If you go chase marks, it will only lead to bad throws, so I'm going to train hard and see where it takes me. I'm looking forward to my last high school season! It's going to a fun year and I cannot wait for the big meets!"