By Amy Batista, Special Writer
The mayor and council honored a resident for his athletic accomplishments and for being such a praiseworthy young man by declaring Aug. 9 “Curtis Thompson Day.”
Mr. Thompson has brought national attention to the community over the last couple of years through his athletic participation in javelin. Mayor Craig Wilkie noted that he is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation for javelin throwing.
”You don’t get that kind of recognition maybe not even in the state of New Jersey let alone the small community of our size,” Mayor Wilkie said.
The mayor said Mr. Thompson could excel and make it into the 2016 Olympics.
”We wish you the best in this whole process,” Mayor Wilkie said.
The mayor noted that the council wanted to acknowledge Mr. Thompson with a proclamation before he heads off to Mississippi next week to continue his education.
”Curtis Thompson is a local young man that is making the entire Florence Township community proud,” Mayor Wilkie said as he read the proclamation.
Mr. Thompson is ranked No. 1 in the nation for javelin, Penn Relays First American in javelin, New Jersey record holder with a throw of 224 feet 10 inches in javelin, New Jersey Meet of Champions record holder in javelin, New Jersey Meet of Champions winner in javelin, New Jersey Group 1 javelin, New Jersey Group 1 meet record holder with 216 feet in javelin, New Jersey Central Jersey Group 1 Meet winner in shot put, Burlington County Open Meet winner in javelin, Burlington County Meet record holder, First Team Freedom Division, New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year and USA Track and Field Junior National Champion. He also represented the United States as the only javelin thrower in the World Meet (17th) and came in third place in the New Balance National.
”Curtis is a remarkable athlete who has excelled also in track and field events as well as football,” Mayor Wilkie said. “He is an admirable individual that is often praised and commended by his coaches and teachers. We wish him well at Mississippi State as he furthers his education and athletic career.”
”It’s actually an honor for them to give me this award and recognize the hard work that I put into it,” Mr. Thompson said.
He noted that he found out he made it on Team USA on July 5. He made it into the two top qualifying marks on June 6 during a tournament.
”It was amazing,” he said. “Once I found out, they had me go through the process and get all my uniforms and stuff.”
He started track and field during his freshman year.
”I did track because I wanted to get faster for football,” he said. “I seen them throwing the javelin. I didn’t feel like running so I went over there and threw and it just took off from there.”
He noted it was “one of his goals.”
”I just know that when you reach those goals you start making new ones,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to going to school in Mississippi.
Rodney Roberson, who has been his coach for the past four years, said, “As a coach, I couldn’t be prouder. It’s great to see that the town took the time to recognize him.”
Council President Ted Lovenduski presented his mom with a bouquet of flowers.
”Believe me, I know you had a lot to do with that,” said Mr. Lovenduski. “At home, taking him, making sure he was ready. I know how that can be.”
”Good job, Curtis,” he said.
Mayor Wilkie asked Curtis to keep in touch and let them know “how things are going.”
”I would like to thank everybody for the support,” Curtis said. “It really means a lot to me and I am just hoping to continue the success and to keep making everybody proud.”

