Florida Athlete Hit by Javelin at SEC Meet

University of Florida heptathlete Heidi Mann suffered a foot injury Thursday when she was was hit by a javelin at the Southeastern Conference track and field championships.

Mann received several stitches in her right foot and ankle, Coach Lyle Knudson said, and the injury probably will keep her out of the NCAA championships May 27-June 1 at Austin, Tex.

Mann was leading the event when she was injured. Knudson said she was 250 points above her lifetime best in the seven-event competition after winning the shotput and the long jump.

“Needless to say, Heidi and I are heartbroken over this,” Knudson said.

Mann was hit during warmups, when the heptathletes were making short tosses to loosen up their arms. The javelin that hit her was thrown by Lana Zimmerman of Louisiana State University, said Bo Carter, a spokesman for Mississippi State University, where the meet was held.