The Great Southwest Classic begins tomorrow in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today and tomorrow, we will take a look back at some memorable performances at the prestigious meet.
Before Tzuriel Pedigo was a two-time NCAA Outdoor javelin champion for the LSU Tigers, he was was just a kid representing Louisiana at the 2018 Great Southwest Classic. In that meet he launched the javelin 229-9 into the Albuquerque sky. It broke Devin Bogert's record by eight feet.
It was the second year in a row Pedigo competed--and won--at the meet. As a junior, he won with a throw of 203-4. That throw is No. 10 in Great Southwest Classic meet history.
Pedigo shared the podium in 2018 with Cedar Creek's Tripp Marcus, who finished second with a throw of 203-9. Marcus' throw is ranked No. 9 in meet history.
Those Great Southwest javelin rankings may change after this year as West Monroe junior Jaxon Talley will make his way to New Mexico over the next couple of days and prepare to compete. Talley, coming his first LHSAA State Outdoor Championship last month, had a personal record throw of 224-2 at the Ultimate Performance Jav Festival last weekend.
Few Louisiana athletes have ever matched the sustained success that Pedigo achieved in the javelin.
From national age-group titles to international medals and NCAA championships, Pedigo developed from a standout at Parkview Baptist School into the most accomplished javelin thrower in LSU history.
Pedigo's rise began during his high school years at Parkview Baptist. While he competed in multiple throwing events early in his career, he eventually focused on the javelin and quickly emerged as one of the nation's top prospects. By 2018, he had won major meets including the Texas Relays, Penn Relays, Oregon Relays and Allstate Sugar Bowl Classic while setting multiple meet records. He also captured the New Balance Outdoor Nationals title and earned a silver medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Finland.
The following year, Pedigo added another international achievement by winning the U20 Pan American Championship for Team USA with a throw of 76.95 meters (252 feet, 5 inches).
His collegiate career at Louisiana State University was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he wasted little time making an impact once competition resumed. As a freshman in 2021, Pedigo entered the NCAA Outdoor Championships and delivered the performance that announced his arrival on the national stage. Sitting seventh entering the final round, he unleashed a personal-best throw of 76.98 meters (252-7) on his sixth and final attempt to win the NCAA title and set an LSU school record.
Pedigo followed that breakthrough season with another strong campaign in 2022. He broke his own school record with a throw of 78.90 meters (258-10) and finished third at the NCAA Championships, earning First-Team All-America honors.
His finest collegiate season came in 2023. After winning the NCAA East Preliminary and placing second at the SEC Championships, Pedigo returned to the NCAA Championships and reclaimed the national title. His third-round throw of 79.79 meters (261-9) established a new LSU record and secured his second NCAA crown. The mark remains the best javelin throw in school history.
By the end of his LSU career, Pedigo had compiled a résumé that included two NCAA championships, three First-Team All-America honors, multiple LSU school records and recognition as the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Men's Field Athlete of the Year in consecutive seasons. He also became the first LSU javelin thrower to win multiple NCAA titles.
Pedigo's accomplishments extended beyond collegiate competition. He represented the United States internationally, earned a silver medal at the U20 World Championships and won a U20 Pan American title, establishing himself as one of the nation's premier young javelin throwers.
Measured by championships, records and international success, Pedigo's career stands among the greatest ever produced by a Louisiana field athlete. His progression from Parkview Baptist standout to two-time NCAA champion set a standard that few javelin throwers in state history have reached.
The Great Southwest Classic begins tomorrow in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today and tomorrow, we will take a look back at some memorable performances at the prestigious meet.
Before Tzuriel Pedigo was a two-time NCAA Outdoor javelin champion for the LSU Tigers, he was was just a kid representing Louisiana at the 2018 Great Southwest Classic. In that meet he launched the javelin 229-9 into the Albuquerque sky. It broke Devin Bogert's record by eight feet.
It was the second year in a row Pedigo competed--and won--at the meet. As a junior, he won with a throw of 203-4. That throw is No. 10 in Great Southwest Classic meet history.