Consistency has become the foundation of success for Caden Wendercott this season, and the McPherson standout thrower is seeing the results in both discus and shot put.
After qualifying for state the past two seasons, Wendercott entered this year determined to take another step forward. His biggest goal was simple: become more consistent every meet and chase school records in both throwing events.
“My primary focus for this season was to be consistent in my throws, which I have been with both discus and shot put,” Wendercott said. “One of my goals for this season was to break both the discus and shot put school record.”
Wendercott has already accomplished one of those goals in historic fashion. He launched a throw of 172 feet, 10 inches in discus earlier this season, breaking a school record that had stood since 1983. The mark currently ranks as the No. 9 throw in Kansas this season.
He has also continued to climb in shot put, where his personal-best throw of 54-1 1/2 has him closing in on the school record of 55-3 1/2.
“I’ve been consistently in the 160s in discus,” Wendercott said. “In shot put I’ve been consistently in the 50s and hoping to break the school record in shot put as well.”
The jump from last season has been significant. As a junior, Wendercott posted a top discus throw of 148 feet and a shot put mark of 48-11. This spring, he has added nearly 25 feet in discus and more than five feet in shot put.
Wendercott credits much of that improvement to his mindset and ability to stay mentally steady throughout the season.
“My strength is definitely being able to stay consistent through the whole season and have the right mindset to do so, which is a big change from last season,” Wendercott said.
That mentality has translated directly into results. Wendercott has routinely finished among the top competitors at every meet this season, often taking first place in both events.
“I utilize this by placing top three, usually first place, at every meet we have been to in both my events,” Wendercott said.
Even when things have not gone perfectly, Wendercott believes he has handled adversity far better than in previous years. He pointed to a recent meet where he scratched on all three shot put attempts but still managed to finish second in discus.
“Some things I wanted to work on this season was to be able to mentally reset my mind if I had an off day or a bad throw,” Wendercott said. “I have definitely been able to do that this season, which is part of the reason I have been so consistent.”
Now, with the postseason approaching, Wendercott has his sights set on an even bigger prize: a pair of state championships in Class 4A.
“A successful season for me would be winning state in both shot put and discus,” Wendercott said. “I’m seeded first in 4A in discus so I know I can win state as long as I keep doing what I’m doing.”
