Leighton Levy, Star Writer

Jason Morgan yesterday shattered his own national record of 64.11 metres when he threw 65.61m to win the discus at the Leon Johnson Invitational meet at Northwestern State University. It was also a new meet record, breaking his record of 60.99m set in 2010.

Morgan, 29, set the national record in Monroe, Louisiana on May 28 last year. Friday's throw, the third best in the world so far this year, boosts the former Calabar High athlete's intentions of winning an Olympic medal in the event this summer.

"I've only got a medal in London on my mind," he said, following his record-breaking throw.

"I just want to have a good throw at Trials and take it from there."

Morgan, who finished 10th in qualifying at the IAAF World Athletic Championships in Daegu, South Korea, last year with a throw of 61.75m, well below his best, has been improving each week so far this outdoor season. He opened up with a 62.07m throw to win at the McNeese University Cowboy Relays at Lake Charles, Louisiana, in early March. Then, on March 17, he hurled the implement 63.82m for another win at the Louisiana Classics. That throw ranked him seventh in the world this season.

He said he knew Friday was going to be a good day. "Today God showed me how good it is to work hard and be patient. I knew it was going to be a good day because I had two warm-up throws at 67 and 68 metres," said the three-time all American, while attending Louisiana Tech University.

"My opening throw was 63.53m and I was just being safe and I fouled a 67m throw but it's all good. I know great things are in store. I am here to stay."

Morgan competes again today at Louisiana Tech University, his training ground where he says the national record will be broken once more.