LAKEWOOD– Jackson Edwards couldn’t stop smiling after winning the 3A boys’ shot put title. 

Multiple emotions–shock, happiness, exhaustion– crossed The Classical Academy’s face the moment he realized he won, but none more than surprise.  

“This was unexpected, and I’m just really grateful for it,” Edwards, a junior, said. “I’m just trusting in God’s plan.” 

Edwards won the Colorado High School Activities Association state championship with a throw of 51-03.25 on his second attempt in Saturday’s final. The junior was seeded second going into the event, and edged out Strasburg’s Mason Dickens to earn the title. 

“I had a rough patch in shot put this season,” Edwards said. “I peaked near the beginning of the season, but through diligent coaching, I got back up to 50’s range.”

The Titan also placed second in the 3A discus Friday for the second consecutive year with a throw of 159 feet, 6 inches. Discus is still Edwards’ favorite event, but winning the shot put state championship at JeffCo Stadium is now the highlight of his career. 

“Today is a message of where I’ve come from since freshman year,” Edwards said. “I sucked at shot put freshman year, so it’s a message of improvement and how to keep improving.”