Ben Kampman wins first boys discus title in Solon program history at Iowa state track meet

Solon discus thrower Ben Kampman wanted to cap off his high school track and field career as a state champion.

On Thursday, he achieved his dream and became the first boys discus thrower to win a state title in program history for the Spartans.

“It feels really cool,” Kampman said. “I’m just really happy to get it done for coach Brad Wymer because he’s been a really, really great coach and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him.”

Entering Thursday, Kampman was the No. 1 seed in the 3A discus field. His second-to-last throw of 186 feet, 3 inches proved to be the difference maker.

With his teammates cheering him on, Kampman walked off the circle with a smile on his face and a fist pump to Wymer. After his final throw, Kampman did a back flip to wrap up his high school career.

“I learned it at prom so I was keeping it in the pocket if I won,” Kampman smiled.

Kampman placed third at last year’s state meet as a junior. The last time he competed at the Blue Oval, he placed eighth at the Drake Relays last month. But a mentality shift, becoming more calm heading into the state meet, proved to work to perfection.

“Last year I didn’t come in expecting to win it all, but this year I had higher expectations of myself,” Kampman said. “I just came in and be a little more relaxed than I was at Drake and get one out there (at state).”

More: Solon’s Ben Kampman motivated to win a track and field state title in discus

From joining Solon's throwing group as a freshman to winning a state title as a senior, Kampman credited Solon’s team culture for being a part of his success.

“The team culture at Solon is great, like everyone wants to see each other succeed,” Kampman said. “It’s been instilled in us as young kids and it’s good.”

Kampman is set to compete for Duke track and field after high school.

Marc Ray is the high school sports reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached at MARay@gannett.com , and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn .

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Ben Kampman wins first boys discus title in Solon program history at Iowa state track meet