Texas Tanner Last Collegiate Standing at World Shot Put Series

DES MOINES, Iowa – As the last collegiate standing, Air Force senior Texas Tanner won the "Challenger Division" at the World Shot Put Series event inside of a crowded Drake Fieldhouse on Wednesday (April 22) night. The Sheridan, Wyo., surpassed the 60-foot mark to claim the Challenger title.

The World Shot Put Series, created in 2025 by three-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Ryan Crouser, features two division – a "challenger field" with six collegiate throwers and an "elite field" of five professional throwers. Created as a King of the Ring competition, all throwers have two attempts to clear a targeted distance, with back-to-back misses resulting in elimination. Advancing marks increase by 10 feet until the line reaches 60 feet, at which time the line moves in smaller increments until there is one winner.

Tanner opened his night by easily clearing the 50-foot marker on his first attempt. He surpassed the 60-foot line on his second try – a throw that kept him in the game and earned him the title of "Last Challenger Standing". The senior had two solid looks at the 63-foot line, but bowed out of the competition with one thrower from the "elite" field.

Roger Steen, the reigning USATF Indoor champion, repeated as the World Shot Put Series champion after outlasting 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Rajindra Campbell at the 73-foot marker.

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