PAUL CATALANATTO DEFENDS HIS 5A OUTDOOR STATE TITLE AT THE 2024 LHSAA STATE MEET
After finishing second in the javelin a year ago, Catholic's Paul Catalanatto returned to Eugene, Oregon this week for some unfinished business at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. He made it count with a national championship throw of 222-7, beating Pennsylvania's Bronson Krainak (210-10).
Talking to a reporter from Dyestat.com after the competition, Catalanatto gave credit to his coach for the come-from-behind victory.
"It was great," Catalanatto said. "Coach Barry told me some stuff to do. The cue clicked. It was really good."
Earlier in the week, Catalanatto finished second in the U.S. U20 Championships with a throw of 209-1. Preston Kuznof won the U20 Championships with a throw of 218-11.
After winning his first national championship, Catalanatto spoke of the camaraderie in the javelin community.
"Everybody out here is so competitive and so good," Catalanatto said. "It's just fun coming out here and competing against your friends."
Among those friends was Krainak.
"I was texting Bronson basically all year and I met him out here for the first time this week," Catalanatto said.
Those are the kinds of bonds that made at national meets and elite throwing camps across the country.
"The javelin is a small, tight-knit community," Catalanatto said. "I know people all over the country. It's so fun to compete against them."
Catalanatto will now turn his attention to becoming an LSU Tiger and joining the deep javelin room.
"I cannot wait to compete against the guys in college," Catalanatto said. "(On why he chose LSU) It was close to home, LSU has a great program, Tzuriel (Pedigo) has won it (NCAA championship) twice. Four guys threw over 70 meters this year. It was very, very appealing."