2021-22 Standard-Times Boys Indoor Track of the Year: Bishop Stang's Jacob Cookinham

The last three years of competition have taken Bishop Stang’s Jacob Cookinham from Dartmouth all the way to Eugene, Oregon. And if you were to total up the impressive marks the Spartans’ junior standout has thrown the shot put over that time, it may very well add up to the 3,114 miles that separate the two towns.

Cookinham’s achievements at the conference, divisional, state, and national levels speak for themselves. The Massachusetts All-State champion in the event with a mark of 62-04.75, he went undefeated as the shot put scoring champion this past winter with 35 points and was a member of the Division 4 state relay championship squad.

When you add in his previous accolades that include a fourth-place finish at the NIKE Indoor Nationals in Oregon, it’s easy to see why Cookinham has earned yet another honor on his resume: The Standard-Times Boys Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year for 2021-22.

The pandemic has created detours and delays in so many walks of life, but it never deterred Cookinham from continuing to reach for, and ultimately achieve, all his goals. As COVID created restrictions, Cookinham took the opportunity to teach himself the spin technique he employs in his throws, one he emulated by watching 2012 Canadian Olympian Justin Rohde.

“I watched videos throughout and taught myself how to spin, and I’ve been very happy with my training and the results,” Cookinham said. “COVID certainly made it tough, but I was determined to remain focused and everything has clicked.”

Those last three words are an understatement. Cookinham’s performance at the EAC meet of 66-1 was 1½ inches off the current Massachusetts state record and placed him second best in the nation at the time. He recorded a mark of 62-8.75 at the MIAA Division 4 meet to claim the crown, which was better than his All-State title winning performance.

Jacob took that to an entirely different level on the big stage at NIKE Nationals, where he tossed a mark of 63-7.75 to record that fourth-place performance. Hitting that high note in a place where so many of the athletes he has looked up to over the years have competed at was a feeling he will never forget.

“It was crazy, uplifting and ecstatic at the same time,” Cookinham said. “It was an awesome feeling to be in the same circle where Ryan Crouser broke the world record. As happy as I was by my performance, it was eye-opening to see how much farther I can continue to go in my training.”

His throws coach at Bishop Stang, Jim Fortin, couldn’t agree more with that assessment.

“Jacob is committed to learning everything about the shot that there is to know,” Fortin said. “I find myself learning a few things that I never realized along the way. He’s dedicated to getting better with each and every competition by learning what he did incorrectly to make even the smallest changes before his next throw.

"I knew I had something special when he started competing, but it wasn’t until last year when he took it to the next caliber of throwing. He’s determined to be the best.”

Though Cookinham’s resume is as impressive as you’ll find, he is not resting on his laurels. The Spartans’ outdoor season is well underway, and he is grateful to be a part of a community that he said “allows me to compete against the best in the state while providing great support both as a student and an athlete.”

His next goal is to be over 70 feet during his senior year. As Cookinham says, “You can always accomplish what you set your mind to.”

Watching Cookinham climb that ladder of success will certainly be special to watch.

ALL ABOUT JACOB COOKINHAM

WHY HE WAS SELECTED: As a conference and state champion in his event, Cookinham has dominated the local landscape in the shot put not only this past winter, but throughout his career. The numbers speak for themselves.

KEY STATS: Undefeated in the shot put, scoring 35 points in 2022; Member of Division 4 state relay champions; second place at East Coast Invitational (62-11¾); EAC Champion (66-1); Division 4 state champion (62-8¾); Massachusetts All State champion (62-4¾); NIKE Indoor Track & Field Nationals fourth place (63-7 ¾).

MVP MOMENT: Winning the overall state title in the shot put after claiming the Division 4 crown.

DARTMOUTH HEAD COACH JOHN BREAULT: “It was so cool following him. It puts the SouthCoast on the map. It’s elevating track and field around here. We would compete at Wheaton and the shot put had to be moved to another spot because it was too close to the high jump when he was throwing. He’s a once-in-a-generation talent.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Completing his junior year at Bishop Stang and preparing for his final campaigns in the Spartan uniform next year.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Bishop Stang's Jacob Cookinham 2021-22 Boys Indoor Track of the Year