By Stan Friedman
DELAWARE, OH (May 31, 2011) – Every one of the throws by North Park University’s Lars Tenglin was good enough for him to capture the NCAA Division III National Championship in the javelin on Saturday. Except one.
Tenglin fell just short of winning his first national title by two feet, when junior Gary Zack of Moravian College threw a personal best of 221 feet. Tenglin’s took second at 218’11.”
Tenglin’s worst throw of the day, which was 212 feet, easily outdistanced Zack’s second-best effort of 198’6.”
“Lars had a great series of throws,” said Viking Track & Field coach Skip Stolley. “They had everyone holding their breaths when they were being measured. Unfortunately they don’t award championships based on averages.”
Tenglin entered the competition at Ohio Wesleyan University as Division III’s top thrower. He had thrown a national best of 221’4” in recent competition.
This was the senior’s third trip to the championships. He finished fourth last year. Tendinitis cut short his appearance in 2009.
Click here to read a previous story on the obstacles the athlete had to overcome in order to become one of the nation’s best.
Tenglin’s parents are Jim and Lisa Tenglin, who attend Attleboro Covenant Church in Attleboro, Massachusetts. His Tenglin’s grandfather, Paul Sparrman, is a retired Evangelical Covenant Church pastor. His grandmother, Gunnie, has roots that reach back to the founding members of the Attleboro congregation.
