Preston Kuznof is sort of the new kid on the block when it comes to the sport of track and field. But it didn’t take him long at all to establish himself as one of the premier athletes in the U.S. when it comes to the javelin.
Kuznof, who attends Atlantic High School in Port Orange, Florida, has dominated the javelin scene in the state of Florida this season, and has proven that he’s one of the best javelin throwers in the nation. He set a new personal best in the event at the East Coast Classic in February with his mark of 65.50m. His throw puts him No. 2 in the U.S. this season in the event. Kuznof has enjoyed the success he’s achieved so far this season.
“It’s been crazy,” he said. “I wanted to open up with a good PR because last year towards the end of the season, I was kind of struggling as far as staying consistent above 60 meters. Being able to open up with a new PR and then being able to PR the meet after that has just been huge for me.”
Kuznof started competing in track and field last February for the Sharks. His football teammates convinced him to join the track and field team to get faster for the upcoming football season.
One day after finishing his workout on the track, he saw his former teammate throwing the javelin after practice, and he decided to do the same. His head coach, Jalilissa Marcus offered him the opportunity to throw the javelin to score extra points, and he took her up on her offer. As they would say, the rest was history.
“I started doing it, and then I broke the school record at my first meet,” he said. “I started watching YouTube videos and stuff, trying to learn how to get better and I got into it.”
Over the course of the season, Kuznof worked with his throws coach and continued to improve his ability, which led to him winning the state championship in the event. He credits him with helping him become more consistent in the event, which has given him confidence and has led to great results.
“I’m new to the sport, so that was a big part of the lack of consistency,” he said. “I have a great throws coach. He’s taught me everything that I know now. Just training with him consistently, that’s what’s gotten me where I am now.”
Kunzof’s success has caught the eye of college coaches around the country. He’s garnered interest from some of the top schools in the nation based on how well he’s performed. Kuznof said that there was a quiet period in his recruiting last season due to some inconsistent performances. Now that he’s found his groove in the javelin, his recruitment has taken off.
“Once things picked back up this year, I opened up with a big 65.50m and just kept progressing from there – it’s picked up a lot,” he said. “It’s going good right now.”
Kuznof has taken visits to schools such as Florida and Florida State, and is scheduled to visit TCU in early April. But there’s one school that’s stood out to him in particular.
“I’m enjoying the ride, but UF is a huge one for me,” he said.
While Kuznof has accomplished great things so far in his senior season, he’s not satisfied and is hungry for more. His goals are set before him, and he looks to make his mark as he finishes his high school career and heads into college.
“You can expect me to finish the season U.S. No 1, be a state champion and go back to back, and also be above 70m going into college,” he said.
