WESTERVILLE — All the hard work paid off for Centerburg’s Ben Riegel.
The Miami of Ohio-bound Riegel finished sixth in the shot put competition on opening day of the Division III state meet at Jim McCann Stadium on Friday.
Riegel’s top effort Friday 54-feet, 6-inches was shy of his regional-winning throw of 58-feet, but good enough to land the senior a spot on the podium and an All-Ohio finish.
“It wasn’t my best. I think the nerves got to me a little bit,” Riegel said. “But I’m happy to be here and I got on the podium, which was my goal.
“I was hoping to PR, but I’m happy with the effort.”
Throwing in the first flight Friday morning, Riegel opened with a heave of 54-2. He was third headed into the finals.
Newton Local’s Dawson Hildebrand won the state title with a throw of 60-9.5.
Riegel will be in action again Saturday morning in the discus competition. He is seeded fifth in the event.
“The furthest I ever made it was to regionals my sophomore year,” Riegel said. “This was my first trip to the state meet, so hopefully my nerves will be better (Saturday).”
