June 10, 2005
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - John Paul Smolenski has achieved his goal. After three years of working towards receiving All-America recognition, Smolenski secured his place in the history books with a fifth-place launch of 65.82 meters (215 feet - 11 inches) Friday at the national championship meet.
"It feels good to be an All-American and finally get on the medal stand," said Smolenski, who has been a competitor at NCAA's two previous times. "I did all I could today. My throw was respectable, but there are some great competitors who did just did better."
One of the key's to Smolenski's fifth-place finish was his consistency. The native of New Hyde Park, N.Y., did not foul through six throws, registering distances of 63.96, 62.95, 63.65, 63.64, 65.82 and 62.98 meters. After hitting the 65-meter mark, he jumped to fourth, but Auburn's Corey Martin reclamied that spot with a launch of 66.07 meters.
The competition was as close during prelims, with the fourth through ninth places separated by just 1.62 meters. During finals, the top three throwers, Spyridon Jullien, Mattias Jons and Nick Owens distanced themselves from the rest of the 12-man pack with efforts of 70.43, 68.87, and 67.76. Jons earned the silver medal on his final attempt.
For throws coach John Zera, Smolenski is his third outdoor All-American, a group that also includes Keith McBride and Nedzad Mulabegovic. Zera said it's exciting to see his athletes earn All-America status, but the first one is always more of a treat.
"I'm very proud of J.P., this was a goal of his and he earned it," said Zera. "He's always been committed to his training, and today he looked as good as I've seen him all year."
Zera could add another All-American to his resume Saturday, should senior Courtney Magnuson finish among the top-eight in her hammer throw competition.
Senior Angela Anoliefoh is through four events in the heptahtlon and stands in 23rd place with 3,122 points. Anoliefoh tied for 11th in the high jump (1.66; 5-5.25), 14th in the shot put (11.80; 38-8.75) and 26th in the 100-meter hurdles (15.23). She also placed 14th in the 200-meter dash at 25.33 to end the first day of competition.
By comparison, Anoliefoh posted a time of 15.19 in the 100 hurdles at the Big Ten Championships, reached a height of 1.68 (5-6) in the high jump and launched the shot 10.77 meters (35-4). The 2005 Big Ten bronze medalist's 200-meter dash time was clocked at 25.34.
Tomorrow Anoliefoh and the 27 other multi-athletes wrap up the heptathlon with the long jump, javelin and 800-meter run. The javelin was Anoliefoh's best event at Big Ten's, placing first with a throw of 38.52 (126-4).