Denzel Pratt ended his 2017-18 collegiate career on a high note, as the Liberty University junior made it to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the first time in his career this season and finished 17th overall in the men’s javelin throw on Wednesday.
Pratt made a toss that surpassed 65-metres (m) (65.19m).
“When you sit down and think about it, you just wish you could replay the day and do a few things differently,” Pratt said about his performance in the javelin throw finals.
“I felt a bit of fatigue during yesterday’s event – basically a combination of all of the nicks and nagging injuries that you go through during the season. Earlier this year I had some hip and lower back injuries.
“I felt really good coming in but, after my first throw, I never felt good out there. I felt some tightness, and I tried to put some balm on to try and fight it, but I never was really comfortable.”
Pratt said that he’s now shifting his focus to the Bahamas Association of Athletic Association’s (BAAA) senior nationals now that the collegiate season is done.
“First thing I want to do is get some rehab in,” he added.
“Once I nurse a few of these injuries, then I’ll look to try and make a senior team if it’s God’s will. Sometimes things fall in your favor and sometimes things don’t.”
With one season of collegiate eligibility remaining, Pratt said he plans to use everything he learned this season to have a better showing at next year’s championships.
“The competition was really fierce,” he said.
“I need to be a bit more prepared when I come back out next time. I expected nothing less than great efforts because I knew all of the guys’ personal bests, so I knew I was in for a tough day. But with some better preparations, we will get it together.”
