Thousands again packed the stands and lined up along the fences for the final days of the 2025 NSAA State Track & Field Championships on Saturday.
Two Winside throwers were in action back-to-back days May 23 - 24 in Omaha at Burke Stadium.
For the Winside throwers, junior Caleb Offner recorded a personal best on his final throw at 54′ 1 3/4″ to earn a silver medal during the Class D boys shot put as he added a bronze medal in the Class D boys discus (154′ 6″) the following day.
"It was a little rough at the start (shot put)," said Offner. "Scratched my first two throws, got in with a 50'. Had some good warm-ups and threw a 54'. Not as high as I wanted it but still end with a second so still happy with that."
Opposite of the day prior, Offner started strong with a mark of 154' 6" in the discus to earn a spot in the finals. During his warm-ups, he was hitting around 170' but said he got in his own head once competition started and was also dipping in to much on his left side which didn't allow him to get a good pull on his release.
Offner talked about his time at state in Class D.
"Getting second (May 23/shot put), I'm proud with but getting third (May 24) is kind of bittersweet because I was shooting for first," Offner added. "I had a good opportunity to get it because we were all throwing around the same."
He thanks his coaching staff along with his dad going down to the Wayne fields to work on his throwing.
Next up will be moving to Falls City and will look to return to state his senior year. He'll be attending some summer football camps in search of additional offers for college and work on throwing two hours a week.
The Winside boys brought home 14 points to finish in a tie for 14th in the Class D team race.
Also, sophomore Hadleigh Schutt finished 12th in the Class D girls discus (107′ 1″) on May 23 and placed 13th in the Class D girls shot put (34′ 8″) on May 24.
