The Rebel Shot Put Series comes to a close on Tuesday February 7th at 6:00 pm when the 15 best athletes from the four qualifying meets battle it out one more time to crown a champion. We have listed those qualified to participate in the championship below along with links to the full series rankings. Note the meet is only allowing the top 15 boys and girls to compete, this isn't an open invitational event.
The girls meet is led by national outdoor champion Alyssa Wilson of Donovan Catholic, and she has won this meet series the past two years. She has improved her qualifying mark all three times she's visited the meet this season, her most recent showing at meet #4 ended with a 55-10 throw. She is also currently ranked #1 in the nation with her 56-2.5 mark at Ocean County Championships. Only the second girl in US history to break the 56 foot barrier, she is currently on the hunt for the national record of 56-7.5 set by Raven Saunders in 2014.
Also moving onto the championship is the second ranked Christianah Akinsanmi of Howell, she threw 39-8.5 at the fourth meet that also ranks her NJ#10 this season. The third qualifier Justine Hosszu of Southern Regional also cracks the top 15 in the state this season with her mark of 39-8.5 at the Cherokee Throwdown, her rebel series best is 38-2.75 from the first meet in December.
The girls field features seven seniors, three juniors, and five sophomores. There are 2 returners from the 2016 championship including Wilson, Atkinson, Marte, and Messina.
Girls Qualifiers - Top 15 From the Series
Full Series Rankings Here - State Shot Put Rankings Here
| RK | Mark | Athlete | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55-10 | 2017 | |
| 2 | 39-8.5 | 2018 | |
| 3 | 38-2.75 | 2017 | |
| 4 | 37-7.5 | 2017 | |
| 5 | 36-7 | 2017 | |
| 6 | 35-1 | 2019 | |
| 7 | 34-9 | 2018 | |
| 8 | 34-6.5 | 2019 | |
| 9 | 33-10 | 2017 | |
| 10 | 33-5.25 | 2017 | |
| 11 | 33-0.75 | 2019 | |
| 12 | 32-11.5 | 2019 | |
| 13 | 32-9 | 2018 | |
| 14 | 32-4 | 2019 | |
| 15 | 32-2 | 2017 |
Check out the trophy that will go to the winner of the night.
On the boys side Dan Mead of Christian Brothers Academy leads qualifiers into the championship with his 51-9 way back on opening day at meet #1. He has since thrown even father now ranked eighth in the state with his 54-0.25 from Monmouth County Championships.
The only other thrower to qualify with a mark over 50 feet in the series is Ryan Roger of Toms River North. Roger comes into the championship with a 50-7 mark, he ranks fifth in the state however with a farther throw of 57-11. That came when he won the Shore Conference Championships.
Both Toms River North, three, and CBA, two, qualified multiple athletes. Southern regional also advanced two athletes and one is the only sophomore among a field of juniors and seniors, Joe Miele ranked as the 13th qualifier at 43-6.
Only one boy returns from last year's championship and that is Middletown North's Austin Bazuk ranked 9th at 44-0.5. He finished seventh in 2016 throwing 42-07.
Boys Qualifiers - Top 15 From the Series
Full Series Rankings Here - State Shot Put Rankings Here
| RK | Mark | Athlete | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51-9 | 2018 | |
| 2 | 50-7 | 2017 | |
| 3 | 48-10.5 | 2017 | |
| 4 | 45-11.5 | 2017 | |
| 5 | 45-7 | 2017 | |
| 6 | 45-1 | 2018 | |
| 6 | 45-1 | 2017 | |
| 8 | 44-5 | 2018 | |
| 9 | 44-0.5 | 2017 | |
| 10 | 43-11.5 | 2017 | |
| 11 | 43-10.25 | 2017 | |
| 12 | 43-8 | 2017 | |
| 13 | 43-6 | 2019 | |
| 14 | 43-2.5 | 2017 | |
| 15 | 43-2 | 2017 |