Mike Hazle. an Elite Athlete Grantee Biography

MIKE HAZLE

HOMETOWN: CHULA VISTA, CA
SCHOOL: TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY ('01, '03)
EVENT: JAVELIN THROW

Top 10 Throws Ranks #4 in American History; 2009 World Championship Team Member; 2009 Ranked # 1 in USA; 2009 World Athletics Tour #9 (IAAF); 2009 USA Championship Silver Medalist; 2008 Olympian; 2008 Olympic Trials Silver Medalist; 2008 World Ranking #10 (IAAF); 2008 World Athletics Tour #7 (IAAF); 2008 Ranked #1 in USA; 2007 USA Championships Silver Medalist; 2007 Pan American Games Silver Medalist; 3 Times Ranked #2 in USA; 2004 & 2008 Olympic Trials Automatic Qualifier; 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 USA National Champion

CLICK HERE FOR MIKE'S DETAILED PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.

In Mike's words:

"I just wanted to say how much the Foundation support means to me and my family. Without the backing of the USATF Foundation, there is no way that I would be in the position that I am in today."

Mike was born and raised in Texas and got a very late start in Track & Field. Mike played numerous sports as a youth and found his nitch in football and baseball, as he progressed through high school (Temple HS '97). He signed a football scholarship at Texas State University, but did not want to let his dream of playing professional baseball die, and walked on to the baseball team the spring of his freshman year. He continued to play both football and baseball through his junior year, when an ACL injury to his knee ended his NCAA football career and imminent professional baseball career. Long-time friend and mentor, Don Hood (Head Track & Field Coach, Texas State University 1996-2002) persuaded Mike to try his hand at track and field and he began training for the decathlon in the spring of 2000. After several decathlon competitions, Mike decided to narrow his focus to his best event, the javelin throw. After just 1 year of training, Mike qualified for the 2002 NCAA and USATF Championships and his javelin career took off.

Mike owns a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Sports Science and Business Administration (2001) and a Masters Degree in Sports and Business Administration (2003) from Texas State University. Mike also works for the non-profit organization, In The Arena (www.in-the-arena.org). In the Arena’s mission is to change the trajectories of the lives of American youths by deploying in their communities, today’s elite athletes, who teach them how to make habits of self-inquiry, accountability, leadership and achievement. Based in San Diego, California, Mike has developed a very special relationship with the world's most elite fighting force, the Navy Seals. After being invited, and training with the Seals in December of 2007, Mike has remained in contact with the Naval Special Warfare Center and the Seals, and is contemplating a career in the Special Forces when he retires from athletic competition. In his free time, Mike enjoys working as a DJ, playing golf and surfing.

Thanks,

Mike Hazle, Javelin Throw

CLICK HERE FOR MIKE'S DETAILED PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.

WITH THE NAVY SEALS