SIOUX FALLS — Jacob Kindelspire’s journey in the Class B boys shot put was a true worst-to-first story.

The Leola senior captured the Class B boys shot put state championship on Friday, completing the ultimate turnaround in the event. Last season, Kindelspire placed 24th out of 24 throwers in the shot put.

Kindelspire, however, reversed his fortunes this season, claiming the state championship with a personal-best throw of 52 feet, 6 inches.

“It just felt amazing,” Kindelspire said. “Everyone was around. Everyone was cheering. I finally got a mark in. All these past times I have been here I have gotten really low, really low scoring.”

Kindelspire topped the 24-thrower field this season, including Gayville-Volin’s Nate Selchert (51-5.75) and Irene-Wakonda’s Cain Healy (51-3). 

“It feels amazing,” Kindelspire added. “I have been looking forward to it all year and then at our last meet of the year two other boys bumped me down to third and then I came out and just improved and showed that I could do it.” 

Kindelspire entered the event seeded third, behind Selchert and De Smet’s Grant Wilkinson. He began the day with a throw of 44-01.25, but went over 50 feet on the ensuing throws. 

“That’s amazing,” Kindelspire said. “It just shows you gotta have lows, you gotta have highs. This year I just couldn't perform on my first throw and then I told myself you have to give 100% and I just let it all go. I just gave it everything.” 

Kindelspire also kept the state shot put title in Leola, following Dustin Wurtz’s Class B championship performance a year ago. So it’s fitting that the two former teammates often get mistaken for each other.  

“Me and my buddy who got first last year, we always get called brothers and they always think we are related,” Kindelspire said. “We just look alike and it’s pretty sweet us being back-to-back.”