At the 12th IAAF World Junior Championships Long Island's own
Walter Henning won the hammer throw with an American junior
record of 76.92 meters. In the competition in Bydgoszcz, Poland
Henning took the lead on his first attempt and capped his day
with a record final toss. American athletes completed an
historic double with Conor McCullough placing second.
The LSU sophomore is no stranger to international competition.
He has also worn the US singlet in Morocco, Beijing and Brazil.
"Ever since I went to Morocco in 2005 I put all my training
towards winning this meet on this day. Pretty much the entire
team
is out here (cheering) today."
His next goal is to qualify for the 2009 World Champs in Berlin.
Said Henning: "To carry the American flag in the opening
ceremony is a tremendous honor...It's phenomenal to be able to
carry the flag, win a gold medal, set a PR and an American
record."