Tomas Kruzliak’s Pursuit of Back-to-Back NCAA Men’s Hammer Throw Titles

Jun 6, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Tomas Kruzliak of Virginia Tech wins the hammer throw at 227-3 (69.26m) in the 2013 NCAA Championships at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Virginia Tech Hokies might have never had a team win a national title but they have had some standout indviduals win national titles. One of those athletes is men’s hammer thrower Tomas Kruzliak who made a big debut on the scene as a true freshman on his way to winning the national title. Kruzliak’s dominance would lead to him also being not only the ACC Freshman of the Year but also the ACC Performer of the Year.

Now, Tomas Kruzliak is looking to win a second straight national title.

Tomas Kruzliak and the Hokies recently competed at the NCAA East Regionals in Jacksonville, Florida and the Slovakian thrower unsurprisingly advanced to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Kruzliak placed third in the NCAA East Regionals with a throw of 225 feet, 7 inches which is just a little short of his career best of 232 feet, 5 inches. Last year, Kruzliak did not win the NCAA East Regional on his way to winning a national title so getting third in Jacksonville will not be much of a concern.

Now, Tomas Kruzliak will get the chance to defend his title as he hopes to become one of the most accomplished throwers in collegiate history. Kruzliak has the talent to throw 230+ feet and if he does that, Kruzliak should be in very good position to win his second national title. Kruzliak would join Spyridon Jullien and Alexander Ziegler as two-time men’s hammer throw outdoor champions if he can win in Eugene.

The bigger fact is that Kruzliak is only a sophomore and has the potential to become the only three-time outdoor indvidual champion in Virginia Tech track and field history. Kruzliak also will be a guy that has goals of potentially representing Slovakia in the Olympics in the future and that will probably push him even more. Kruzliak could end up being the greatest track and field athlete in Virginia Tech history and he can make a big step towards becoming that in less than two weeks in Eugene, Oregon.

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