LA CROSSE, WI- Hortonville’s Ben Smith’s last high school shot put throw was his best. The Polar Bear’s Senior set a state meet record with a throw of 70-09.50 in the finals to secure his third State Shot Put title.

“I was so close last year to breaking the state record, I was hoping to go 72 or 73 but I am happy with the State record and hopefully it will stand for some time,” Smith said.

Smith did not qualify for State his Freshman year, but won the State title in both shot put and discus his Sophomore year. His Junior year and Senior year turned out the same, with a State Championship in Shot Put and a runner-up in Discus.

“To be able to have that legacy means something to me, and I am happy to win discus one of those years.”

On Saturday, Smith set the State meet record three different times.

Smith finished second in the Discus competition behind the top ranked thrower in the Nation Bryce Ruland of Waterford Union. Smith’s final distance of 207-04 would have won the state title in every other state but Wisconsin. Ruland’s 212-01 was the best in the Badger state.

“Iron sharpens iron and we are going to be competing against each other more and we push each other,” Smith said. “That is just the way the cookie crumbles.”

Smith will compete in some off season national competition before taking the next step in his career at the University of Oregon.

“I’m just going to start training to be a Duck.”

Other Division 1 Highlights

The West De Pere Girls had three strong relay team finishes with a 2nd place finish in the 4×200, and third place finishes in the 4×100 and 4×400 relays.

Neenah’s Celia Gentile was 2nd in the Girls Long Jump and Ashwaubenon’s Thea Kral won both the Shot Put and the Discus.

On the boys side, the Cartier brothers of De Pere did well in jumping with Andrew Cartier winning the Triple Jump and Aiden finishing right behind him. Andrew also placed in the Long Jump.

Matthew Rusch of Fond Du Lac was 2nd in the Shot Put and 3rd in the Discus.