Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Welcome to Jav U
June 08, 2021 | Track & Field, Joel Coleman
Bulldogs looking to build on reputation for success in javelin
STARKVILLE – Around the country, Mississippi State has become known as Jav U. And it's not just a catchy phrase to put on a T-shirt or bumper sticker, (although if you want something like that, the term has now recently been trademarked by the state of Mississippi for use).
No, the Bulldogs have very much earned their reputation as one of the nation's top destinations for javelin success. And the three MSU men competing in the event at this week's NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon – Sindri Guðmundsson, DJ Jónsson and Tyriq Horsford – have every intention of living up to the Jav U moniker.
"I think it puts a little chip on our shoulder because you know everyone is going to try to take Jav U down," Jónsson said. "Everyone wants to be the team or individual that takes [us] down and splits [us] up from placing high. And it's like, 'We're not going to let that happen.'"
If you sense pride in the words of Jónsson, there's good reason for it. It's a confidence that is built upon a foundation that has been laid over the last half decade at State. Ever since former Bulldog Curtis Thompson claimed an individual national title in the javelin back in 2016, the success has kept coming in Starkville.
Here's just a snippet. The six Bulldogs with the longest javelin throws in school history have all been at MSU within the last five years with Guðmundsson, Horsford and Jónsson placing fourth, fifth and sixth on that list, respectively. Dating back to 2015, State has had eight NCAA medalists in the javelin while no other school has had any more than four in that same time span. The Bulldogs placed first, second and third on the NCAA podium back in 2019, marking only the second time in history (and first time in 55 years) that one school took the top three spots.
So proud? You bet. But is there a common thread to all the remarkable things the Bulldogs have been doing? Well multiple individuals have contributed, but it can't be ignored that associate head coach April Thomas is a big piece of the puzzle.
"[Javelin] is certainly a pillar of this program on the men's side and I think it goes to show that April Thomas is one of the best coaches in the country," State head coach Chris Woods said. "I don't want to box her in as being one of the best throws coaches or best javelin coaches in the country. I think she's one of the best coaches in the country, flat out. So what she's been able to build over there in that particular part of the program goes to show how a person's hard work and perseverance can pay off. I think she and I both have done a good job of just staying steady and identifying the student-athletes we feel like are going to help us improve in that area. We've got a pretty good formula working right now."
Beyond Thomas, there is certainly other credit that can be passed around. It's a total team effort that has made Jav U such a well-oiled machine.
"Obviously Coach April is the building block of Jav U, but the base of the house, you can't live in that," Guðmundsson said. "So Coach Woods, the trainers, the medical team, the training facilities, the strength and conditioning – it all builds up to the Jav U house we're living in."
Even the nicest of houses need to be maintained though. That's where Guðmundsson, Jónsson and Horsford hope to step in this week. The trio has already shown off their talents just by making it to Eugene for nationals. The three swept the podium at the NCAA East Prelims in late May to qualify to move on. Now, they're looking for more.
Each of the guys insist they feel no pressure to add to the Jav U legacy when they throw in Oregon. Instead, they use the reputation that precedes them as a means to push themselves.
"It just adds confidence," Horsford said. "Because I think having that type of reputation…it just shows that the program has been known for people being able to come out at the national meet and been able to execute what they've been learning. It really doesn't add pressure because I think we have an excellent coach and I think she has prepared us to the point where we can go out there and do it. Even if we don't have our best meet, we're still able to go out there and perform to the best of our abilities."
And if the Bulldogs do perform at their best, recent history shows there's a strong chance for good things to happen in Eugene. At this point, pretty much anyone that throws the javelin at Mississippi State expects nothing less for themselves.
"It adds extra motivation to keep the streak going and be recognized as Jav U," Jónsson said. "We have to perform at the national meet to keep being Jav U for the foreseeable future."
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No, the Bulldogs have very much earned their reputation as one of the nation's top destinations for javelin success. And the three MSU men competing in the event at this week's NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon – Sindri Guðmundsson, DJ Jónsson and Tyriq Horsford – have every intention of living up to the Jav U moniker.
"I think it puts a little chip on our shoulder because you know everyone is going to try to take Jav U down," Jónsson said. "Everyone wants to be the team or individual that takes [us] down and splits [us] up from placing high. And it's like, 'We're not going to let that happen.'"
If you sense pride in the words of Jónsson, there's good reason for it. It's a confidence that is built upon a foundation that has been laid over the last half decade at State. Ever since former Bulldog Curtis Thompson claimed an individual national title in the javelin back in 2016, the success has kept coming in Starkville.
Here's just a snippet. The six Bulldogs with the longest javelin throws in school history have all been at MSU within the last five years with Guðmundsson, Horsford and Jónsson placing fourth, fifth and sixth on that list, respectively. Dating back to 2015, State has had eight NCAA medalists in the javelin while no other school has had any more than four in that same time span. The Bulldogs placed first, second and third on the NCAA podium back in 2019, marking only the second time in history (and first time in 55 years) that one school took the top three spots.
So proud? You bet. But is there a common thread to all the remarkable things the Bulldogs have been doing? Well multiple individuals have contributed, but it can't be ignored that associate head coach April Thomas is a big piece of the puzzle.
"[Javelin] is certainly a pillar of this program on the men's side and I think it goes to show that April Thomas is one of the best coaches in the country," State head coach Chris Woods said. "I don't want to box her in as being one of the best throws coaches or best javelin coaches in the country. I think she's one of the best coaches in the country, flat out. So what she's been able to build over there in that particular part of the program goes to show how a person's hard work and perseverance can pay off. I think she and I both have done a good job of just staying steady and identifying the student-athletes we feel like are going to help us improve in that area. We've got a pretty good formula working right now."
Beyond Thomas, there is certainly other credit that can be passed around. It's a total team effort that has made Jav U such a well-oiled machine.
"Obviously Coach April is the building block of Jav U, but the base of the house, you can't live in that," Guðmundsson said. "So Coach Woods, the trainers, the medical team, the training facilities, the strength and conditioning – it all builds up to the Jav U house we're living in."
Even the nicest of houses need to be maintained though. That's where Guðmundsson, Jónsson and Horsford hope to step in this week. The trio has already shown off their talents just by making it to Eugene for nationals. The three swept the podium at the NCAA East Prelims in late May to qualify to move on. Now, they're looking for more.
Each of the guys insist they feel no pressure to add to the Jav U legacy when they throw in Oregon. Instead, they use the reputation that precedes them as a means to push themselves.
"It just adds confidence," Horsford said. "Because I think having that type of reputation…it just shows that the program has been known for people being able to come out at the national meet and been able to execute what they've been learning. It really doesn't add pressure because I think we have an excellent coach and I think she has prepared us to the point where we can go out there and do it. Even if we don't have our best meet, we're still able to go out there and perform to the best of our abilities."
And if the Bulldogs do perform at their best, recent history shows there's a strong chance for good things to happen in Eugene. At this point, pretty much anyone that throws the javelin at Mississippi State expects nothing less for themselves.
"It adds extra motivation to keep the streak going and be recognized as Jav U," Jónsson said. "We have to perform at the national meet to keep being Jav U for the foreseeable future."
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Players Mentioned
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