Bloomington North IN Standout Throws 54-10.75 At Conference Meet

By David Woods for DyeStat

When you reset a state record, meet an Olympic Trials standard and match an Olympic gold medalist – all on one throw – that is about as exalted as it gets for a high school shot putter.

That is what Hadley Lucas of Bloomington North IN did in her home ring.

Lucas threw a US#1 distance Friday of 54 feet, 10.75 inches (16.73m) at the Conference Indiana meet. She exceeded her own state record of 51-10.50 (15.81m), set indoors March 1, on five separate throws.

She climbed to No. 3 on the all-time high school list, tied with 2016 Olympic champion Michelle Carter, of Red Oak TX, from 2003.

Top two are Alyssa Wilson of Donovan NJ, 58-1 (17.70m) in 2017, and Raven Saunders of Burke SC, 56-8.25 (17.28m) in 2014. Lucas became the ninth girl to throw 54 feet or farther.

"It was fantastic. During practice this week, we got some close throws," Lucas told the Bloomington Herald-Times. “But I knew I had to show up and do what I knew I could at the meet today.

“And it's such a mental sport, and I knew I was 'on' today. I felt it during warm-ups. I felt it during the first few throws."

Lucas’ series: 49-11.5, 53-3, 53-8.50, 52-3.50, 54-10.75, 54-3.50.

The Wisconsin signee met the “B” standard of 54-1.75 (16.50m), although that does not guarantee inclusion at June’s Olympic Trials. USA Track & Field will accept 24 shot putters.

"That's kind of as far as this sport goes, so since I was little, I've dreamed of the Olympics," she said. "Everybody dreams of the Olympics, but to actually be able to get to that mark, it's crazy.

"I would say I'm incredibly lucky and thankful for the coaches that I've had that have helped me get to today."

Lucas has two state titles in the shot and one in the discus. She won her conference discus at 162-5 (49.50m). At last June’s under-20 nationals, she was third in the shot and second in the discus.

She is US#3 in the discus at 170-0 (51.81m), also a state record. Trials “B” standard is 175-6 (53.50m).

"I think I've definitely got that in me," she said. "Just work on some things in practice and then show up in the next few meets. I think I've got it."

Elsewhere in the conference meet, sophomore Caleb Winders of Bloomington North won the 800 meters in 1:54.44, fastest in Indiana this year. As a freshman, he ran a 1:50.20 anchor for a team setting a state record of 7:37.24 (US#6).

State-leading sprinter Jaidyn Johnson, also of Bloomington North, won the 100 meters in 10.61 but pulled up in the 4x100 relay. He clocked 10.34w (+2.4) and 21.15 on April 20 at Indianapolis.

Contact David Woods at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.