An 7-year-old boy from Ocala threw his way into the record books and was crowned the best javelin thrower in the nation earlier this month.
Joseph A. Sorrentino, III took first place in the boys javelin throw (8-under) at the 2023 Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympic Games that took place at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa from July 29 to August 5.
Sorrentino competed against over fifty other competitors, none of whom came within 7 feet of his winning throw of 87 feet, 9 inches. Second place, which was claimed by Jayvari Valentine of Perry, Georgia, came in at 80 feet, 1 inch.
Only Sorrentino and Valentine threw javelins over 80 feet, with all other competitors falling short of the mark.
Sorrentino’s father, Dr. Joseph A. Sorrentino II, is a local dentist who walked onto the University of Florida football team and was part of two national title-winning teams. His mother, Lissy, recently gave birth to his third brother, Michael.
The young athlete joins several others that have brought national attention to Ocala with their athletic accomplishments.
That includes 12-year-old Mateo Olvera, who claimed third place in the long jump at this year’s AAU Junior Olympic Games, as well as Daniella Wray, a 10-year-old girl who competed in multiple races and set a personal best in one of them at the same event.
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