DES MOINES, Iowa – Josh Pelletier of Lewiston, who just completed his freshman year at High Point (N.C.) University, is set to compete with teammate Dakota Peachee in the USA Track & Field Junior National Championship on Thursday and Friday. Peachee will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, while Pelletier will compete in the javelin.

“Josh is seeded around fifth in the javelin, and we’re looking for him to have a strong performance like he did at the conference championship,” said High Point coach Mike Esposito. “It will be great for these two freshmen to get more experience in a major championship setting.”

In his first meet throwing the javelin for the Panthers, Pelletier broke the school record with a throw of 59.80 meters (196 feet, 2 inches) to place sixth at the Wake Forest Open on March 19. A month later, Pelletier broke out with a throw of 65.97 meters (216-5) to place second at the Big South Championship. He was named Big South Outdoor Freshman of the Year.

Pelletier is ranked fifth going into the meet. Sam Crouser, the USA Jr. record holder in the javelin, is the top seed with his season-best 255-4.

The USATF Junior National Championship typically features the top collegiate freshmen as well as the top high school athletes from around the country. Athletes must be 19 or under in 2010.

Pelletier will compete at 2 p.m. Friday.