Throws
The Big Names
Rocky River's Michael Shoaf returns for the 2019 indoor campaign as the top athlete in the shot put and weight throw, making him a clear frontrunner to pull off the throws double this winter. His 62-2.5 shot put is fourth among returners in the entire country and nearly four feet ahead of the next closest returner in Ohio. In the weight throw, he also enters the season nationally ranked as his 66-10 best is eighth among all returners nationwide. He will be looking to repeat as shot put state champ and improve upon his emerging elite victory in the weight throw at New Balance Nationals. Watch for Shoaf to dominate the throws this winter.
A shot put specialist in the indoor circuit, Madison's Nolan Landis is the second best returner in the rock toss as he enters the season with a 58-10 personal best. After finishing fourth at last year's state meet, Landis will be looking to not only improve, but challenge for the state title. He threw 60-10.5 during the outdoor campaign.
If anyone is going to unseat Michael Shoaf in the weight throw, Wayne's Dylan Beaird appears to be the top candidate. He enters the 2019 campaign with a 65-6 best, tenth among all returners nationwide. He finished third at the indoor state meet, but had immense success during the outdoor season, specifically in the hammer throw, as he cleared a US No. 10 206-0 at the USATF Region 5 Championship. Beaird will be a candidate to clear 70-0 in the weight this indoor season and it may very well take a 70-0 clearance to bring home gold this March.
Adrian Woliver - Stow-Munroe Falls
Adrian Woliver is a huge asset in a throwers relay with his 11.32 speed, but when it comes to heaving the implements, Woliver is one of the tops in the state. Third among returners in the shot put with his 56-3.25 mark and fifth in the weight throw at 58-5, Woliver should be competitive in both events throughout the winter.
Chris Burkhart - Hilliard Darby
Chris Burkhart may have entered the 2019 indoor season with a 64-3 mark as the third best returner in the state in the weight throw, but he's already leapfrogged Dylan Beaird with his 65-7.5 heave at the first Tiffin meet. He was fourth at the state meet last March, but is already showing he's ready to compete for the top spot this year.
The Up-and-Comers
Only two freshman in the entire state threw the weight over 46 feet last season, and only three of them threw over 40 feet. Brunswick's Tomas Rimac finished out his first indoor season with the top weight throw among D1 freshmen with his 46-7 mark and has already cemented himself as one of the next big throwers in the state. He still has a ways to go in the shot put, but he should easily compete for a top eight finish in the weight throw this season.
A shot put specialist by trade, Wadsworth's Donnie Hurrle threw 40-4.25 and ranks first among D1 returning sophomores in the shot put. He improved upon that mark outdoor, clearing 43-7, and could be a factor as early as this indoor season if he can continue to make strides in the shot.
Michael Martello - Pickerington Central
Another shot put specialist by trade, Martello has already improved by nearly two feet this indoor season. His 40-8 shot put mark from the first Tiffin Series meet has him among the top sophomores in the state.
Event to Watch
Weight Throw
Top to bottom, the weight throw is the most competitive of the two throwing events and is already starting to heat up. Three boys have the potential to clear 70-0 this winter in Michael Shoaf, Dylan Beaird, and Chris Burkhart. Amherst Steele's Jaret Prete is the fourth returner with a 60-0 mark to his name (60-7.5) and five others return with marks 54-8.75 or better. One of those five is Hilliard Darby's Michael Cornathan who has already improved to 63-7 this December and neither of those five boys is New Albany's Henry Zimmerman, who has already improved over six feet to 63-4.75 in the early going. It may take a 60-0 clearance just to crack the top ten this season, much less the top eight. Keep an eye on the weight throwers this winter.
Related Articles/Videos
- D1 Boys Shot Put - Circle (OATCCC State Meet 2018)