Benjamin Shue Smashes National Freshman Record In Discus


Benjamin Shue, the young throwing phenom from Bergen Catholic, smashed the national freshman record in the discus when he sent the saucer sailing 192-3 at the Jack Yockers Bergen County Relays on Wednesday in Ridgewood.

Shue, who will turn 17 on Sept. 12, broke the national freshman record of 191-8 that was set in 1999 by Derek Randall of Beeville, Texas, shattered the Bergen County record of 189-2 set in 1980 by 2-time Olympian Mike Buncic of Fair Lawn, and moved up to No. 11 all-time in N.J. history, and No. 11 in the nation this season.  

After fouling on his first attempt on Wednesday, the 6-2, 245-pound Shue threw 182-4 on his second try before his record-setting 192-3 bomb on his final attempt. Shue's previous PR in the discus was 181-3, which he threw at a tri-meet at Paramus Catholic earlier this month.

The next big national record that Shue is chasing is the national record for a 16-year-old, which is 210-1 set by Jeff Buckey of Bakersfield, Calif. in 1991. The NJ record is 218-4, set by 2020 U.S. Olympian Sam Mattis of East Brunswick in 2012.