By Rich Winter

605 Sports

MITCHELL —-  Former White River thrower Ethan Watson isn’t sitting around waiting for his opportunity. 

In an event (shot put) that traditionally favors upperclassmen, Watson is on the verge of qualifying for the NAIA indoor national championships in the shot put. The Dakota Wesleyan University freshman set a personal best 52-feet and 3.25 inches while winning the shot put at the DWU Alumni Open on Feb. 1. 

“I feel like my first year of college has been pretty good,” Watson said. “There have been some adjustments like learning the indoor weight throw and getting used to a heavier shot put.”

Watson won a Class B state championship in the shot put last season with the high school shot weighing 12 pounds. The collegiate shot put weighs 16 pounds and as of Feb. 7, 2025, Watson has the 21st best throw in the nation in the NAIA men’s shot put. 

Watson’s current best is less than four feet from the best in the nation from Grandview’s Blake Willey (55-11).

“My ultimate goal is to win a national championship,” Watson said. “Right now I have the B- qualifying standard for nationals. So I’m hoping to throw a little farther at our conference meet next weekend and hopefully make it to nationals. 

The NAIA indoor national championships start Feb. 27 at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center at Celebration Pointe in Gainesville, Florida. Selection for the NAIA national championship will come after Watson and his Dakota Wesleyan teammates compete in the GPAC conference meet Feb 14-15 in Mitchell. 

At the recent alumni meet, Watson also competed in the indoor weight throw, finishing fifth in an event that Watson said has challenged him from a technique perspective.  

“The weight throw is a 35-pound ball with a metal chain attached to it,” Watson said. “It is similar to the outdoor hammer throw but picking up the technique has been pretty challenging.”