RALEIGH, N.C.—Junior javelin throwers Nick Coffey (Cranston, R.I.) and Andrew Grinnell (New Milford, Conn.) each started their seasons off on a strong note by surpassing 60 meters during competition at the Raleigh Relays on Friday morning. Coffey tallied a seventh place finish in a field of more than 40 competitors and Grinnell placed 14^th overall.
 
Thursday marked the first of three days of competition at Paul Derr Track and javelin was the only event of the day for the Villanova men. Coffey and Grinnell each competed in the third and final flight and got off to fast starts on the day. After an initial mark of 61.82 meters on his first throw, Coffey improved his standing on his third attempt when he threw for 63.99 meters. It is the second-longest career throw for Coffey, who was the BIG EAST runner-up in the javelin last season.
 
Grinnell began the day with a measurement of 59.21 meters on his first throw and he improved his mark on each of his successive throws. His third attempt of the day resulted in a distance of 60.17 meters which is the third-longest of Grinnell's career. He and Coffey were each All-BIG EAST performers in the javelin last season when they combined for a 2-3 finish at the conference championships.
 
Friday's event schedule for the Wildcats includes the 10000 meters at night as well as daytime competition in the pole vault and the discus.