MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — With the entire Boyd Buchanan track and field team cheering him on, Will White delivered a winner with his first attempt in the shot put during Wednesday’s Division II-A state meet at the TSSAA Spring Fling.
White, a muscular 5-foot-11, 200-pound freshman, could not have asked for a better start as he sent the steel ball flying through the air before it left an indentation in the sand 51 feet and 1 1/2 inches away from the throwing circle at Middle Tennessee State University’s Dean A. Hayes Stadium. His team roared in approval at what turned out to be a championship moment as White’s top mark went 3 1/2 inches further than the next-longest throw in a field of eight competitors who were allowed four tries each.
His eventual climb atop the medal stand was an emotional moment for White and his family — which, to him, includes all of his Boyd Buchanan teammates.
It was less than three weeks ago, May 5, when White’s father namesake father, who had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease) died at age 57. His obituary noted he “never missed a game, meet, or milestone” and was “always there, cheering with pride and love.”
“I know my dad was watching over me today,” White said. “We had such a special bond through sports and loved watching the Georgia Bulldogs together. I know he wants me to be here and wants me to succeed. So that’s what I am going to always strive to do. I am happy I was able to do this for him today.