# Riley Dolezal

Riley Dolezal (born November 16, 1985) is an American track and field athlete who competes in the javelin throw. His personal record for the event is 83.50 m (273 ft 11+1⁄4 in) and he is the 2013 and 2017 United States Javelin champion. He now works at Horace High School as a gym and health teacher

## Personal and Prep

Born in Stanley, North Dakota, Dolezal attended Stanley High School. Outside of throwing Dolezal enjoys hunting, welding, boating, auto repair, Motorsport, video and yard games. Riley Dolezal grew up in a town of 1200 and taught himself how to throw javelin his junior year of high school. A multi-sport athlete, he had an opportunity to play football and baseball in college.

## NCAA

Dolezal attended North Dakota State University from 2005 to 2009 and competed in the javelin. He gradually improved from a personal record of 67.89 m (222 ft 8+3⁄4 in) in 2008 to 69.78 m (228 ft 11 in) in 2009.

## Professional

Dolezal teaches high school physical education and works as an assistant coach at North Dakota State University.
He cleared seventy metres for the first time in 2012: that year he had a best of 72.60 m (238 ft 2+1⁄4 in) and competed in the qualifying round of the 2012 United States Olympic Trials.
In 2013 he placed third at the Mt. SAC Relays before winning at the Drake Relays with a throw of 74.22 m (243 ft 6 in). At the 2013 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Dolezal had a startling breakthrough. All four of his valid throws at the competition bettered his previous record: he improved from 74.87 m to 76.10 m to 76.93 m and had his best in the fourth round with a throw of 83.50 m (273 ft 11+1⁄4 in). This moved him up to eighth on the all-time American lists and brought him the national title, finishing ahead of reigning NCAA champion Sam Humphreys.
Dolezal placed second in javelin at the 2014 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a throw of 79.27 m (260 ft 3⁄4 in).
Dolezal placed second in javelin at the 2015 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a throw of 80.75 m (264 ft 11 in).
Dolezal placed third in javelin at the 2016 United States Olympic Trials (track and field) with a throw of 79.67 m (261 ft 4+1⁄2 in).
Dolezal won the javelin title at the 2017 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a throw of 81.77 m (268 ft 3+1⁄4 in).
Dolezal placed third in the javelin at the 2018 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a throw of 75.10 m (246 ft 4+1⁄2 in).
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes |
| Representing United States |||||
| 2019 | 2019 World Championships | Doha, Qatar | 26th (q) | 75.62 m (248 ft 1 in) |
| 2017 | DécaNation | France | 3rd | 74.08 m (243 ft 1⁄2 in) |
| 2015 | 2015 World Championships | Beijing, China | 24th | 77.64 m (254 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
| 2015 | 2015 NACAC | San José, Costa Rica | 1st | 79.30 m (260 ft 2 in) CR |
| 2015 | 2015 Pan Am | Toronto, Canada | 2nd | 81.62 m (267 ft 9+1⁄4 in) |
| 2013 | 2013 World Championships | Moscow, Russia | 19th | 78.76 m (258 ft 4+3⁄4 in) |
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes |
| USATF Championships |||||
| 2012 | 2012 United States Olympic Trials | Eugene, Oregon | 17th | 70.78 m (232 ft 2+1⁄2 in) |
| 2013 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Des Moines, Iowa | 1st | 83.50 m (273 ft 11+1⁄4 in) |
| 2014 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Sacramento, California | 2nd | 79.27 m (260 ft 3⁄4 in) |
| 2015 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 2nd | 80.75 m (264 ft 11 in) |
| 2016 | USA Olympic Trials Track and Field Championships | Eugene, Oregon | 3rd | 79.67 m (261 ft 4+1⁄2 in) |
| 2017 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Sacramento, California | 1st | 81.77 m (268 ft 3+1⁄4 in) |
| 2018 | USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships | Des Moines, Iowa | 3rd | 75.10 m (246 ft 4+1⁄2 in) |

## Seasonal bests by year

* 2008 – 67.89
* 2009 – 69.78
* 2010 – 69.54
* 2011 – 68.54
* 2012 – 72.60
* 2013 – 83.50
* 2014 – 79.27
* 2015 – 81.16
* 2016 – 80.42
* 2017 – 81.77