Louisa-Muscatine’s Spencer Kessel wins shot put championship
by Margaret Hurlbert
May 24, 2023

LETTS, Iowa–As a middle school student, Spencer Kessel thought shot put and discus looked like a lot of fun, and in seventh grade, he decided to try them. “To be honest, I just wanted to throw stuff, so I went out for it,” he shared.

He quickly discovered that he did enjoy both shot put and discus and that it took not just a desire to throw but careful training and practice to get good at them. Kessel dedicated himself to his sports and started seeing success in high school. Though the start of the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the state track meet for his first year of high school, he had opportunities to return the following two seasons. Each year, his performance improved, with him placing 12th in the shot put and fifth in the discus as a sophomore and third in both events as a junior.

After dominating throughout the season, Kessel had high hopes for his performance at this year’s state track meet. He exceeded all expectations. Kessel won the shot put with an impressive 64-foot, 1.25-inch throw, his all-time personal best. He also had success in discus too, earning second place.

Kessel felt satisfied with how he did at the meet. “It felt good because I led the state in the shot put all year,” he reflected.

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Spencer Kessel throwing the shot put at the state track meet. Photo courtesy of Spencer Kessel.

The first time that shot put took place inside the Drake Stadium, Kessel felt it added positive crowd energy to the event. “The most exciting part was throwing shot put in the stadium,” he shared. “I enjoy that environment.”

Now that Kessel has graduated Louisa-Muscatine Junior-Senior High School, he plans to continue his track and field career at the University of Northern Iowa, where he will keep throwing the shot put and discus. He looks forward to the new opportunity. “It feels good,” he said, adding he chose the program because, “their throwing coach contacted me, and I went from there.” While at the University of Northern Iowa, Kessel plans to major in business.

After a successful high school throwing career, Kessel has learned a lot about the training that goes into it. For aspiring track and field athletes interested in trying the shot put and the discus, he encourages them to stick with it and to train hard. “You have to go out there and do the work,” he emphasized. “It’s not just throwing–you have to learn the fundamentals.”

 

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