EUGENE, Ore. – After a stellar outdoor season, James Kotowski (Stoneham, Mass.) is prepped and ready to compete at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in the javelin. The event will take place at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon and he will kick off the weekend in the first round of the javelin throw on Friday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. EST. 

"James had an unbelievable year and earned it with his work year-round," said Head Coach Gary Gardner. "He continues the tradition of student-athletes from UMass Lowell that regularly compete at national, world and Olympic championships. It's been great to see him develop to that level."

Kotowski found nothing but success this season, breaking his own school record twice, and wowing the fans with a toss of 75.07m (246' 3") at the George Davis Invitational at home in Lowell. He collected nothing but first-place finishes throughout the spring, and came just one placement away from the NCAA Championships when he finished 13th at the NCAA East Preliminaries. 

It all started at the Raleigh Relays in late March, where he broke his school record in his season debut, reaching 72.46m (237' 9") to win the event.

"James opening up the season with that huge throw makes us really excited for the rest of the season," commented Gardner after the meet.  

And exciting is what it was, as Kotowski then went on to earn a victory at the Dalton Ebanks Invitational at George Mason in early April with a 71.05m (233'1") mark, before his historic performance at the George Davis Invitational on April 20.

With three victories in three appearances that featured two school records, Kotowski geared up for the NCAA East Preliminaries, which took place from May 22-25. He battled through injury and still managed to sit in a qualifying position with a 67.37m (221'0") mark, before the event's final throw of the day knocked him just outside of a qualifying mark. 

It was at that moment when his focus switched to this week's Olympic Trials, where he will look to become yet another River Hawk to make the United States Olympic track & field team, as he will throw alongside the best throwers in the nation. 

He will be competing on Friday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. EST, as he looks to qualify for Sunday's finals on June 23 at 9:40 p.m. EST. For live results, click here.