Concord’s javelin-throwing hidden gem, Nick Reynolds, is on pace to become one of the best in the country.
The former state champion, record-holder and Tennessee walk-on is now at the University of Georgia training with the best American throwers.
Reynolds, a sophomore, is coming off a personal best last weekend at the Torrin Lawrence Memorial. He threw 77.55 meters (254-5 feet), which ranks No. 5 in UGA history and No. 6 nationally. He also threw one over 80 meters, but it was a foul throw.
“I want to be in the 80 meters. I think that’s very doable,” he said. “I’ve already thrown that in practice, in the warm-ups. I just need to have one hit during a meet.”
An over 80-meter throw would put him within striking distance of the top-20 men globally. Certainly among the best at the collegiate level, and approaching Olympic levels.
“He has what it takes right now to throw, probably in the low to mid 80s, which is among the top throwers in the US, not just in NCAA, but the United States too,” University of Georgia Throws Coach Don Babbitt said about Reynolds.
“It’s just letting it happen and experience and believing that he’s that guy, which he is,” Babbitt added.
Throwing to Tennessee
In 2024, Reynolds was prepared to play D-III soccer at Utica College in New York before he picked up a javelin.
That spring, his first-ever casual toss of a javelin would have placed him in the top five in the state. Ten weeks later, he threw 205 feet, 10 inches, which surpassed the D-I and state record.
The soccer player and baseball pitcher-turned-thrower’s life became a bit of a whirlwind after that.
He worked with Concord javelin record-holder Nate Putnam, and by the end of summer, he was walking on to the University of Tennessee’s track and field team.
In between high school and college, he proceeded to win the event at the NHIAA Meet of Champions and the New England Interscholastic Outdoor Track and Field Championship. Then, he competed in the U20 National Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., the site of the 2024 U.S. Olympic trials.
His natural ability showed, but he was inexperienced. His first year at Tennessee was all about growing.
From Vols to Bulldogs
A big reason Reynolds decided on Tennessee was Coach Erik Whitsitt. In three seasons with the Vols, Whitsitt coached his throwers to six combined All-America honors. The pathway was there.
Whitsitt was teammates with Concord’s Nate Putnam at Boise State, and took Reynolds in after seeing his film.
Reynolds learned how to improve by watching YouTube videos when he was in high school. Down in Tennessee, the hands-on specialized coaching increased his throwing distance by 14 meters.
“I have to give a lot of that, a lot of that, to the coaching at the time, for sure, and as well as teammates at the time, just pushing me every day with that,” Reynolds said to his time in Tennessee.
This time, his rapidly improving throwing found him in another whirlwind about his future, but in a different way. Whitsitt was offered the role at Nebraska and left, so Reynolds hit the transfer portal.
Babbitt took an immediate interest. Babbitt had seen Reynolds at meets and saw his potential. And he should know, considering his coaching resume.
UGA throwers have captured 16 NCAA titles, earned 118 All-American certificates and won 65 SEC titles since Babbitt’s arrival in 1996.
Reynolds said it has been a challenge in a good way. When he started, he was hitting personal bests every other day and now he has to fight for every inch.
He has to remind himself he’s competing against men four or five years his senior. His training group at UGA includes graduate student Jordan Davis and Marc Minichello.
Davis is the NCAA Division II record-holder at 84.45 meters (277 feet) and has thrown over 80 meters twice this year. Minichello is a pro; he is a two-time NCAA champion and has a personal best of 84.11 meters.
All that’s to say Reynolds is right on their coattails and on track to throw that far.
Babbitt said they didn’t want to get too fancy with Nick’s progression. The physical development, strength, speed and agility all come naturally as he grows.
“It just had to be nice and steady and organized,” Babbitt explained.
Technically, Reynolds worked on improving his run-up, holding body position, tempo and overall smoothing out his form. This, Babbitt said, is crucial to prevent injuries.
What’s next?
Reynolds and UGA are heading into the SEC Outdoor Championships at Auburn, scheduled for Thursday, May 14. Reynolds aims to peak when it matters most.
“I want to be that top guy in NCAA, and setting the tone for the rest of everybody else,” Reynolds said. “And then after, after those the Olympic year lines up on my senior year.”
After the conference champs, he’ll head to the NCAA East Regionals at the University of Kentucky in late May. If he can continue his ascent, he can confidently head into the NCAA Outdoor Championships in early June.
“I would like to think he’s looking to come here and throw a personal best next weekend at Auburn for SEC,” Babbitt said.
“If he keeps up his good training and good and little, which I thoroughly expect him to do. He’s a guy that could vie for the title,” Babbitt added about the Regionals.
In July, he’ll have his biggest challenge yet. The USA Championships are scheduled for July 23–26, 2026, at New York’s Icahn Stadium.
That’s still far out. Reynolds is taking it day-by-day. He’s come a long way from Concord but still has plenty of runway ahead to throw for his dreams.
“If I didn’t decide to do track, you know, on that split decision, I wouldn’t be here, you know, and I’d be in New York playing soccer,” he said.