Brian Chaput became Penn's first NCAA Champion since 1974 with a 78.69 meter javelin throw on Friday night at National Championships.
The junior was in second place, behind Boise State's Rob Minnitti, entering his next to last throw, but heaved a career best 78.69 meters (258 feet, 2 inches) to take the lead by almost three meters.
Chaput had thrown a career best 75.74 meters in the preliminaries on Wednesday. His 78.69 mark is the longest throw in Penn and Ivy League history as well.
Chaput took almost every title he could in the javelin this year, winning at Penn Relays, Heptagonal Championships, IC4A Championships and NCAA East Regionals as well.
Minnitti was second with a toss of 75.07 meters.
Chaput's first place finish puts the Quakers in a tie with Connecticut for 14th place in team scoring with 10 points.
