Former Jayhawk Breaks Canadian Javelin Record

July 15, 2011

TORONTO –

Former Jayhawk track and field star, Scott Russell, made headlines Wednesday when he broke his own six-year-old Canadian national record in the javelin throw by over 40 cm. His toss of 84.81 meters (278-3 ft.) is the eighth best in the world this year and earned him the title at the 2011 Toronto International Track and Field Games.

One of the all-time great throwers to wear a Jayhawks uniform, Russell, who threw for the Jayhawks from 1998-2002, earned All-America honors six times, claimed five conference championship titles in three different events and was crowned a national champion in 2002. In addition to being a huge asset on the field for KU, Russell also excelled in the classroom, being named Academic All-America in 2002. He is a member of Kansas Athletics’ Hall of Fame.

The 32-year-old is currently teaching and coaching at Basehor-Linwood Middle School (Bonner Springs, Kan.) while he trains in his spare time. This week’s record-setting performance earned him a spot in the World Championships that will take place next month in Daegu, South Korea. Scott, who is originally from Windsor, Ontario, Canada will also look to qualify for a spot on the Canadian National Team for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. At the Beijing games in 2008, he took home a 10th-place finish in the javelin.