Falconer and Ferguson Put Jamaica in NCAA Division I Javelin Final for First Time

Jamaican javelin throwers Brandon Falconer, representing Mount St Mary’s University, and Jemar Ferguson, of the University of Louisiana, created a national first last weekend when they booked lanes in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Their qualification came at the NCAA East Regional Championships, staged by the University of Kentucky. Falconer, who previously attended St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), took ninth place with 67.28 metres. Ferguson, a former Jamaica College student, followed in 10th after producing a personal-best 66.29m.

Falconer, already a two-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) champion, owns a lifetime best of 69.02m. That effort stands as the second-farthest throw in Mount St Mary’s history.

He also becomes the first Mountaineers competitor to reach the NCAA Outdoor Championships since Brian Sagendorf did so in 2021. Sagendorf was also a javelin athlete and established the school’s programme record of 71.26m that same year.

Ferguson’s latest performance bettered the 66.15m personal best he had thrown earlier this season at the Florida Relays. His 66.29m now sits third all-time for the University of Louisiana. He also finished second at the Sunbelt Championships earlier this month, improving on ninth place from last year.