14 Facts About Mike Hazle

Mike Hazle is a four-time silver medalist at the US outdoor championships, before he claimed his first National Championship in 2011.

Mike Hazle won a silver medal in his category at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Mike Hazle attended Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where he played both football and baseball for three years, before ending his career with a knee injury.

Mike Hazle was convinced by his long-time friend and mentor Don Hood to try out for track and field.

Mike Hazle initially trained and competed for the decathlon, but he decided to narrow his focus to the javelin throw, which was considered his best event.

Mike Hazle owned a bachelor's degree in exercise sports science, and a master's degree in sports and business administration from Texas State University.

Shortly after his graduation from the University, Mike Hazle continued to compete at the US national championships, but did not attain better than the fifth position in the javelin throw.

In 2008, Mike Hazle set a personal best of 82.21 metres by placing third at the Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar.

Mike Hazle repeated his runner-up finish at the US Outdoor National Championships, and, at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, with a throw of 75.76 metres, earning him a spot on the United States team for the Olympics.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Mike Hazle competed as a member of the US track and field team in the men's javelin throw, along with his teammates Breaux Greer and Leigh Smith.

Mike Hazle performed a best throw of 72.75 metres from his second attempt, but fell short in his bid for the twelve-man final, as he placed twenty-fifth in the qualifying rounds.

Mike Hazle continued his runner-up streak at the 2009 and 2010 US Outdoor Track and Field Championships, until he claimed his first ever career title in 2011, with a best throw of 78.22 metres.

Mike Hazle was expected to compete for the second time at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, and at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, but forced to withdraw from the competitions because of career ending right elbow injury.

Mike Hazle then enlisted as a US Air Force Special Operations Command Combat Controller.