In one year's time, Platte-Geddes' Lee Reiser built himself into a shot put state champion
May 27—SIOUX FALLS — Platte-Geddes' Lee Reiser was motivated more than ever midway through the season to achieve his ultimate dream of a state title.
It was a big dream for Reiser after not finishing better than fifth place in any meet in 2021 in the shot put.
On Friday, Reiser made those dreams come true.
In the junior's second year of participating in throwing events, Reiser claimed his first state title in the Class B track and field state meet with a title-winning throw of 54 feet, 8 inches, beating the rest of the field by more than a foot.
"It feels good, it's something I've always dreamed of," Reiser said.
After placing in the top two in the first four meets of the season, Reiser, in his opinion, still wasn't doing all he could to be the best he could be. He was bothered by not qualifying for the Howard Wood Dakota Relays, and from there, Reiser's intensity rose. He did not lose another shot put event over the final three weeks of the season.
"At the start of the year, I wasn't throwing that far, but then it started clicking for me," Reiser said. "I started putting in more work and realizing if I do that, I'll actually be good at this and get the results I've been wanting. In the past, I used to just settle with the results."
Reiser's first throw of the day was the winning toss, setting the mark to beat at 54-8, a new personal best. Bridgewater-Emery's Lucas Mentele was the closest to Reiser, taking second in the event with a toss of 53 feet even.
Reiser added 10 feet of distance from prior to the Dakota Relays to Friday's win. He said the Dakota Relays miss added motivation and he hopes that carries over into next season as well.
"Some things didn't go my way but that pushes you to go harder because you need to fail in your life before you get the things you always wanted," Reiser said. "Next year, I'd like another one of these and to throw a 60 (footer). I know it'll be hard but we'll see what happens."
