The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Crouser named Track & Field News High School Athlete of the Year
10.31.2011 | Track & Field / Cross Country m, Track & Field / Cross Country
Oct. 31, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas -- Longhorns freshman Ryan Crouser has been announced as the Track & Field News High School Athlete of the Year.
"This award means a lot to me because I am mentioned with such a great group of athletes both in the running for it this year and guys who have won it in the past," said Crouser. "Especially with the multiple injuries I had last year, being able to overcome those injuries and still manage to have a good season is really important to me."
Crouser, a native of Greshman, Ore., received the honor after setting three national records during his senior year at Barlow High School. He broke the high school indoor shot put record (77-2.75), the U.S. prep indoor shot put record (63-11) and the national high school record in the discus (237-6).
"I based my goals for distance on what the national records were so I was happy with how my season went that I was able to reach that goal in discus and get the national record," said Crouser.
He won the Oregon Class 6-A state title in both the shot put and discus in 2011 as well as in his freshman year. He was the national champion in the shot put, discus and javelin. Internationally he claimed the gold medal in the shot put at the 2009 IAAF World Youth Championships in Italy with a record throw of 70-9 and the silver medal in the discus.
Now that he is at Texas, Crouser has continued his hard work in the weight room and recently started throwing for the first time. He is adjusting to the demanding schedule of a college athlete with balancing academics and athletics but is enjoying his time at Texas thus far.
"It has been a little bit of an adjustment and right now we are in the throwing phase in our program," said Crouser. "I am doing about what I was last year but here the weather is a lot better because last year it was raining a lot and was more difficult. I am happy with where my training is at and I am with a great group of guys to train with so I am really enjoying it."
Crouser and his teammates are building towards the start of the indoor season which will be a dual with Arkansas on Jan. 13, 2012.
