Walser takes silver at State Track and Field Meet

Submitted by Willspoint1 on

Wills Point's Shelbi Walser returned to the 4A State Track and Field Meet in Austin May 14, looking to defend her state title in the girls shotput wheelchair competition.

In her first trip to Austin's Mike A. Myers Stadium, Walser blew away the field with a best throw of 14'11.5" inches. The next closest competitor, Kortney Boldt of Cibolo Steele, finished more than a foot behind with a best throw of 13'1".

Despite putting together a comparable throw in 2016 (14'8.5"), Walser finished second overall this year behind Jordan Lee of Arlington Lamar. Lee posted a best throw of 17'5.5" overall.

Sarah Maynard of Peaster finished in third place with a best throw of 13'6.25".

The state and national record in the girls shot put wheelchair division was set in 2014 by Abby Dunkin of Canyon New Braunfels with a throw of 18'4"

Walser wasn't the only Van Zandt County athlete to qualify for this year's 4A State Track and Field Meet, joining Canton senior pole vaulter Colin Millsap.

Millsap has been no stranger to competing on the big stage of the State Track and Field Meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium, having competed there in both 2014 and 2015.

The Texas A&M - Commerce bound vaulter cleared a height of 13’6” to finish seventh overall. Top three finishers in 2016 included Riley Richards of China Spring topping the field with a 16’ vault, followed by Clayton Fritsch of Sealy in second with a 15’ vault and Bradley Little of Graham and Colton Cohea of Sinton tying for third overall by clearing 14’6”.

The state and national record in the pole vault was set by Eric Eshbach of Orangefield, Texas in 1999 with a vault of 18'-2.25".