Thorpe breaks national javelin record

hen Barbadian javelin thrower Kayla Thorpe competed on June 6 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Finals in Oregon, United States of America, she created a stir with her outstanding 53.44-metre throw, the current national record.

As the first female competitor in javelin at an NCAA final for Maryland University, she made history by breaking the record set by fellow Barbadian and former West Indies cricketer Deandra Dottin in 2008 at the CARIFTA Games in St Kitts and Nevis, with a distance of 47 metres.

Thorpe, who was raised in the Philadelphia neighbourhood of Upper Darby and was born to Barbadian parents, made numerous sacrifices throughout her career, including missing her commencement ceremony at Maryland University due to her participation in the NCAA East First Round in Lexington, Kentucky, last month. She is now aiming for All-American status at the NCAA Championships.

The 21-year-old, who holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology, felt that it was well worth it to miss her graduation. She placed sixth overall in the NCAA East First Round.

Thorpe, who it appears was always meant to be a thrower, decided to give up running in favour of field events like discus, shot put, and javelin in which she has excelled consistently.

On April 12, she broke the 50-metre mark at the Long Beach Invitational with a throw of 51.69 metres, and two weeks later, threw 50.86 metres at the Penn Relays on April 26. On May 10 at the Big Ten Championships, she made it 50.82 metres.

When Thorpe took bronze at the Big Ten Championships, she became the first Maryland individual conference medalist since Xahria Santiago won silver in the 400 hurdles at the 2019 meet. She was nominated for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award by Maryland.

Congratulations and support have been pouring in for the rapidly rising star who has also been acknowledged by the Athletic Association of Barbados for her outstanding accomplishments and overall success.

During an interview with Maryland University, a confident and energetic Thorpe expressed gratitude to her friends, coach Tyler Burdorff, and family for their unwavering support and advice.

After Thorpe’s first coach at Towson University, Zachery Ball, resigned to pursue a new job at Michigan State, her career experienced a few setbacks before Burdorff filled the post at Towson. Burdorff had an offer to be listed at Maryland and Thorpe opted to transfer there, where she would continue her association with Burdorff as coach and student athlete.

“I never would have expected my season to end the way it has been ending,” Thorpe said. “Of course, it’s not finished yet. So, hopefully, it just skyrockets even more. But I just couldn’t ever imagine my career looking like this after the past two years that I’ve had.

“I’m grateful to work with the people I’ve worked with and practise with people I’ve practised with because every person has motivated me and helped me to be a better person,” Thorpe said.

(AS)