TEMPE - Redshirt Junior Turner Washington set a new NCAA record in the shot put Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Texas Tech Shootout in Lubbock Texas. The Tucson native, and former Arizona Wildcat, started 2021 in similar fashion when he broke the Texas Tech Invitational shot put meet- and facility-records on Jan. 30 when he went 20.94m/68-8 ½ feet on his final throw. That throw moved Washington to second all-time at ASU and set a new PR. That wouldn't last long. On Saturday, Washington went 21.85m (71-8.25) on his final attempt, setting a new NCAA record by topping former all-time best Payton Otterdahl of North Dakota State who threw 21.81m/71-06.75 ft in 2019. Washington moved up to No. 1 on the ASU top-10 indoor list for the event, passing Olympian Ryan Whiting's 21.73m from 2008.
When asked how a discus thrower ended up setting a new NCAA record in the shot, Washington answered, "Great coaching, that's the easiest answer. Just putting a lot of hard work and time into it. Just trying to master a little more technique each day. Getting to closer to the dream."
Washington enjoyed this achievement for a short time before regaining focus on his goals.
"I gave myself 24 hours to really enjoy it, now it's time to move on and get back to work," Washington said.
What is next for the new NCAA record holder? "Keeping the foot on the gas pedal, not letting up. Records get broken all the time but National Championships are forever."
FEATURE: Shot Star Turner Washington Hasn't Forgotten the Discus
FEATURE: Turner Washington — a Dorado, Wildcat and now Sun Devil — breaks NCAA record, has sites set on Olympics
Washington grew up learning from one of the best. His dad, Anthony Washington competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics as a discus thrower. The elder Washington competed in three consecutive summer games. Anthony won Olympic gold in the discus in 1999, and won gold at the Pan Am Games in '91 and '99.
When asked about the role his dad played in his development, Washington mentioned "great bonding time."
"He would be at work, I would be at school but then an hour a day we would be out in the circle throwing," Washington said.
ASU throwing coach Brian Blutreich, a former Olympian himself who competed against Turner's father in the 1992 Barcelona games, was the first to phone Anthony after his son set the new record.
"[Blutreich] called him then I talked to him on the phone and he was pretty pumped up," Turner Washington said. "He likes to remind me about how I didn't like throwing shot in high school and he made me, he got a kick out of it," Washington said.
When asked about the possibility of competing in the Olympics like his dad, Washington said "Right now I am really just focused on this upcoming National Championship. If I can improve my technique enough to win the NCAA Championship then it puts me in a better position to do well at the Olympic trials."
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— Sun Devil TFXC (@SunDevilTFXC) February 13, 2021
Turner Washington launches the shot ????.?????? (????-??¼) on his final attempt to set a new NCAA record, passing Payton Otterdahl! #ForksUp?? pic.twitter.com/C1Fa3YTFeR
When asked how a discus thrower ended up setting a new NCAA record in the shot, Washington answered, "Great coaching, that's the easiest answer. Just putting a lot of hard work and time into it. Just trying to master a little more technique each day. Getting to closer to the dream."
Washington enjoyed this achievement for a short time before regaining focus on his goals.
"I gave myself 24 hours to really enjoy it, now it's time to move on and get back to work," Washington said.
What is next for the new NCAA record holder? "Keeping the foot on the gas pedal, not letting up. Records get broken all the time but National Championships are forever."
FEATURE: Shot Star Turner Washington Hasn't Forgotten the Discus
FEATURE: Turner Washington — a Dorado, Wildcat and now Sun Devil — breaks NCAA record, has sites set on Olympics
Washington grew up learning from one of the best. His dad, Anthony Washington competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics as a discus thrower. The elder Washington competed in three consecutive summer games. Anthony won Olympic gold in the discus in 1999, and won gold at the Pan Am Games in '91 and '99.
When asked about the role his dad played in his development, Washington mentioned "great bonding time."
"He would be at work, I would be at school but then an hour a day we would be out in the circle throwing," Washington said.
Broke an NCAA record Saturday, back to work Monday getting ready to do it again. ?? pic.twitter.com/Tpnc76dLEQ
— Sun Devil TFXC (@SunDevilTFXC) February 16, 2021
ASU throwing coach Brian Blutreich, a former Olympian himself who competed against Turner's father in the 1992 Barcelona games, was the first to phone Anthony after his son set the new record.
"[Blutreich] called him then I talked to him on the phone and he was pretty pumped up," Turner Washington said. "He likes to remind me about how I didn't like throwing shot in high school and he made me, he got a kick out of it," Washington said.
When asked about the possibility of competing in the Olympics like his dad, Washington said "Right now I am really just focused on this upcoming National Championship. If I can improve my technique enough to win the NCAA Championship then it puts me in a better position to do well at the Olympic trials."
"It's indicator to the team we're on the right path as far as Arizona State as a whole ... It's been a challenge for me in terms of building and selling that message. It was liberating for all of us." #ASU track coach Dion Millerhttps://t.co/YjhwS4UBU6 via @azcentral
— jeffmetcalfe (@jeffmetcalfe) February 17, 2021
Keep up with the Sun Devil TFXC program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.