Ben Smith Enters Into Elite Company With Historic Shot Put

Sometimes all you need is a moment. 

That's what Ben Smith captured on March 6 at the Fond du Lac Quad meet. 

Since debuting in April over his final track and field season, the Hortonville High School senior -- he's based out of Hortonville, Wisconsin -- hadn't yet breached 70 feet in the shot put. 

The University of Oregon signee had, however, been consistent, notching three throws over 67 feet and two more over 66. 

Then came a bomb. Smith landed a 75 foot, 1 inch throw on March 6. It was 12 feet farther than the next-best mark, which followed in 63 feet, 2 inch -- accomplished by Fond Du Lac's Matthew Rusch, who was no slouch, either, having generated a career best of 66-9 on the season. 

Smith's launching pad immediately moved up the charts. It was Wisconsin's all-time state record, moving past the record by eight feet. Smith became the 32nd thrower in high school history to reach 70 feet. He also became the sixth thrower in high school to eclipse 75 feet. 

His throw ranks No. 6 in history. 

Also combined with his career-best discus mark of 210-4.5 -- achieved at Nike Outdoor Nationals in June of 2023 -- Smith moved up to No. 4 all-time in the combined throws of shot put and discus. 

Only Ryan Crouser, Mason Finley and Gabriel Oladipo have thrown farther combined in history. 

Smith's total tab of 285 feet, 5.5 inches ranks fourth behind those three former high school legends. 

All-Time Best Combined

Shot Put-Discus Throwers In High School History