(All) American History
James Moriarty's javelin throw earns him spot on the medal stand and place in HCC record books
The throw measured 53.35 meters, or 175 feet. With that, James Moriarty earned a spot on the medal stand and a place in Holyoke Community College athletic history.
Over the weekend, Moriarty, a sophomore from South Hadley, took second place in the men's javelin event at the NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York. Though edged out of first by a mere five feet, his throw garnered Moriarty All-American honors.
He is the first HCC athlete ever be named an All American in track and field, according to Thomas Stewart, HCC's director of Athletics.
"It's great for the college and great for the kid," Stewart said. "It's fantastic."
As a freshman, Moriarty was part of HCC's reconstituted track and field squad, which returned as a varsity sport in the spring of 2017 after a hiatus of more than 20 years.
In his first year, under the guidance of head coaches Nick Davis and Luke Archambault, Moriarty threw both the shot put and javelin. In 2017, he qualified for the national championship in the javelin throw and finished eighth. He was the only member of the HCC track and field team to qualify this year.
In an April 29 tournament at Yale University, Moriarty finished first against athletes from big-name schools all over the Northeast, including Yale, Columbia, Marist, Stony Brook, Sacred Heart and Hofstra.
Stewart said he hopes Moriarty's success will bring more attention to track and field at HCC.
"It keeps us in the spotlight nationally, and this is only our second year back," Stewart said.
Moriarty graduated from HCC June 2 with honors and his associate degree in Communications, Media and Theater Arts. Stewart said Moriarty will attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst next fall and intends to throw the javelin next year for school's track and field team.
"To graduate cum laude and with All-American honors shows he's had success both in and out of the classroom," Stewart said.
PHOTOS: (Above) James Moriarty of South Hadley prepares to throw the javelin earlier this season during a track and field tournament at Yale University where he finished first. (Thumbnail) Moriarty throws the javelin at the 2017 NJCAA Div. III Track and Field Championships.
