Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Berry throws longest shot put in state

Ashley Berry, 17-year-old junior at Gurdon High School was the winner in shot put at the "Meet of Champs" on Wednesday, May 24.

With a shot put distance of 39 feet and 9 inches, she beat throws from other state champions across Arkansas who attend schools ranging in size from 1A to 5A.

Coach Brandie Kirkpatrick said winning the "Meet of Champs" is an exciting thing and quite an honor.

Berry is the daughter of Michelle Easley of Gurdon.

She won this years state shot put competition for schools the size of Gurdon with a throw of 38 feet.

She also won a second place medal in discus at state with a throw of 104 feet.

Kirkpatrick said the 39 feet, 9 inch throw on May 24 wasnt the first time Berry had achieved that distance.

Coach Kirkpatrick said, "Ashley threw her shot put at 39 feet and 9 inches during district at Genoa Central on May 11.

"That broke a district record that had held up since 1995. The old district record was 38-6."

Coach Kirkpatrick said Berrys 39 feet, 9 inch throw at the "Meet of Champs" broke that competitions previous top for this year of 38.85.

"Ashley has been in track since the ninth grade," Coach Kirkpatrick said. "I recruited her out of physical education. Coach Hank Lewis has helped her in her shot put and discus techniques these last couple of years."