Baltimore gold

MOSES LAKE — David Moore is still a little sleepy when he begins describing his journey to becoming the gold medalist at the 2006 U.S.A. Track and Field National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championship in Baltimore, Md. in late July.

"Regionals were in Salem (Ore.) and I didn't have a very good meet," said Moore. "I placed third and barely qualified for the finals."

This summer marked Moore's last year of eligibility and motivated him, he said, to do his best.

In an effort to fulfill that desire to place well, Moore drove to Spokane twice a week to practice with Moses Lake Hall of Fame thrower Curt Ramford and spend the rest of the week practicing with Moses Lake High School coach Davie Alporque.

"The other five days, I'd just throw outside my house," Moore said.

Moore's aptitude for the javelin appears to be natural, as Moore only began throwing the javelin two years ago.

"I started throwing as a junior," said Moore. "I was just a natural at it."

Moore's "natural" talent has gotten him a track and field scholarship to Portland State University, where he will be mentored by other throwers with impressive stats of their own.

"One of the throwers there is throwing 227 feet, he's also on the football team," Moore said. "He'll sort of be my athlete tutor (for throwing)."

Another of Moore's new teammates made a trip to the Junior Nationals in the 19 and under category.

Moore has chosen to apply his scholarship in the criminology and criminal justice departments at PSU.

"I took a few classes at Big Bend and I was interested in it," said Moore. "I want to go into the police force just because of what they do every day, the challenges they face."

Moore's ambition has earned him a national title in the javelin throw thus far with a throw of 59.84 meters in Baltimore.

"I want to do the best I can," Moore said.