Alex Wolff has never been able to experience what it is like to be healthy for a full season – until now.
The javelin thrower, who came to Eugene following a promising high school career, saw his first two seasons for Oregon halted by injuries. But as a redshirt sophomore, he has maintained his health for a full season and this week is throwing for a spot in the NCAA Championships.
His first two years were marred by his struggles with elbow problems.
Wolff and Oregon left Wednesday afternoon for the NCAA West Regional Championships on the campus of Cal-State Northridge. Before leaving, Wolff wasn’t made available for an interview and was unable to be reached via his cell phone.
The men’s javelin competition takes place Friday at 10 a.m. with the trials and final.
The Newberg, Ore. native is going into the regionals on a high after his fifth place finish in the Pacific-10 Conference Championships. He launched a throw good for 219 feet, three inches.
Wolff has made steady progress through this season. He began his season with the UCLA-Oregon Dual at Hayward Field and was second behind teammate Mike Simmons with a throw of 214-05. Wolff placed fifth in the Oregon Relays with a throw of 212-05 and was ninth in the Oregon Twilight with a toss of 209-10. But he saved his best performance thus far for his appearance at the Pacific-10 Championships.
Teammate Colin Veldman has seen the struggles that Wolff has gone through and sympathizes with him. Veldman had shoulder surgery last season that forced him to take a medical redshirt and sit out the 2007 season.
“I can relate very highly to him coming off an injury so to see him succeed after the two big injuries that he’s had is just amazing to see and I’m always excited to see my teammates do well no matter if it’s in the hammer, javelin or even on the track but to see him PR at a meet like that, it’s just really cool,” Veldman said. “He deserves it.”
The 6-foot-4 Wolff competed just once his freshman year in 2005-06 during the Oregon Preview, where he placed fifth with a throw of 193-05.
In 2006-07, he competed twice until an arm injury left him unable to compete for the rest of the season. His best throw that season again came in the Oregon Preview with a throw of 195-0.
Wolff, during his high school days, won the Oregon 4A state title as a senior with a personal best throw of 213-5 that ranked him fourth in the nation.
“Alex had all sorts of problems with his elbow,” Oregon head coach Vin Lananna said. “He worked hard on the rehab and he’s done just a marvelous job of being able to get back.”
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