Thompson, Anderson Medal At The Pan American Games

SANTIAGO, Chile – Mississippi State track and field alumni Curtis Thompson and Navasky Anderson claimed the gold and bronze medal, respectively, at Pan American Games Saturday night. Thompson clinched the gold in the men’s javelin with a 79.65m throw, marking the first time an American has won gold in the men’s javelin since 1987. Anderson claimed a bronze medal in the men’s 800m, finishing in 1:46.40, to claim his first medal while representing Jamaica at the senior level.

Thompson’s quest for gold commenced with a powerful 78.72m throw in the 12-person javelin final, instantly catapulting him to the lead. Pedro Henrique Nunes of Brazil briefly challenged him in the second round with a 78.45m throw. However, Thompson produced throws of 75.84m and 77.40m on his third and fourth attempts, followed by his medal-clinching distance on his final attempt. Nunes took home the silver medal with his second attempt, while Leslain Baird of Guyana claimed bronze with a 78.23m throw on his fourth attempt.

Anderson entered the 800m final after winning his heat in the semifinals on Friday with a time of 1:47.51. The Jamaican national record holder closely trailed Ferdy Agramonte of the Dominican Republic at the start of the race. At the bell, Mexico’s Jesus Tonatiu Lopez overtook Anderson, but Anderson ran down Agramonte in the turn to regain the second position. In the final stretch, Venezuela’s Jose Antonio Maita’s kick carried him past Anderson and Lopez. Anderson finished third behind Maita and Lopez.

“Congratulations to both Navasky and Curtis. I couldn’t be happier for the both of them.” State head coach Chris Woods said. “This is yet another example that our program produces multiple athletes who excel in the next level of this sport. All three of our medalists have made our program and our entire Bulldog family proud. Hail State.”

Tiffany Flynn won bronze in the long jump earlier in the week. Additionally, former Bulldogs Anderson Peters and Marco Arop hold the Pan American records in the javelin throw and the 800m, respectively.

Thompson’s return to the Pan American Games marked his second appearance, having finished 10th in 2019. In 2023, he secured his third USATF Championship in Eugene, Oregon, and represented the United States at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. He currently ranks No. 12…