EUGENE, Ore. – Coming into his final attempt in the shot put at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Wisconsin men's track and field standout Jason Swarens knew he needed a huge throw. 

The NCAA leader in the event with a PR of 70 feet, 1 ½ inches (21.37m), Swarens had led the competition through the opening round but several clutch marks by other competitors had moved the Badger down to fourth heading into his final toss. 

Swarens delivered on his final attempt at Hayward Field as the senior won the national title in the shot put thanks to a heave of 69-8 (21.23m).

"At our home meet I threw 21.37 meters there and I knew it was going to take 21 to win today," Swarens said. "I wish I had done that a little earlier but I'll take it."

Swarens becomes the first Badger male to win a national title in the shot put and the first male thrower to win a NCAA title since Michael Lihrman won consecutive indoor weight throw titles in 2014 and 2015. 

"​​Jason earned this one," UW Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne said. "He's been close a few times and he never quit on himself. To hit that monster throw on his last time in the circle as a Badger with the national title on the line speaks volumes about his character as an athlete. 

"The minute the shot left his hand you just knew it was a huge throw."

The Terre Haute, Indiana native posted an unforgettable senior season with a sweep of the Big Ten indoor and outdoor shot put titles. He placed third in the shot put at the NCAA Indoor Championships, earning All-America honors and proved himself among the nations best. Swarens cemented his status as a Badger great, setting school records in both the indoor and outdoor shot put, marking the end of a decorated collegiate career. 

"I've always wanted to solidify myself as one of the greatest shot putters at Wisconsin," Swarens said. "Today was the icing on the cake."

Fellow senior Joseph White wrapped up his time competing for the Cardinal and White, etching his name in the history books and placing ninth in the shot put at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships with a throw of 63-4 (19.30m). 

In just one year, the senior became the school record holder in the discus, climbed to No. 2 all-time in the outdoor shot put and earned First-Team All-America honors in the shot put along with Second-Team All-America honors in the weight throw at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships. The Kenosha, Wisconsin native claimed silver in the discus at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships.  

Spencer shines in 1500 semifinals
Spencer showed why he is one of the favorites for the title in the 1500 meters on Wednesday as the senior ran the fastest time in the event to automatically advance to Friday's final.

After starting the race in the middle of the pack, Spencer took control of the race midway through and cruised to a time of 3 minutes, 41.67 seconds to win his section of the event. 

"The first heat went out so slow," Spencer said. "It's a real relief when they go out slow because then all you have to do is run faster. It was kind of nice to see. I was pretty shocked that some pretty big names missed out on the final but I was trying not to focus on that too much and instead focus on getting the job done and getting to the final."

Spencer will race for a NCAA title on Friday at 7:12 p.m. CT live on ESPN2. 

Williams wraps up junior campaign 
Jalen Williams capped off his junior campaign by placing 16th in the 400 meters with a time of 46.06 seconds, competing among the fastest athletes in the country at Hayward Field. 

Williams made his mark early in the outdoor season, delivering consistent performances that culminated in a runner-up finish at the Big Ten Championships in the 400 meters. But perhaps the defining moment of his season came when he shattered the Wisconsin school record in the outdoor 400 with a time of 45.49, setting a program-best mark that cemented his name in the Badger history books.

Hooper concludes Badger career 
Badgers Cole Hooper closed out his collegiate season with Second-Team All-America honors thanks to a 16th-place finish in the hammer throw. The senior launched the hammer 216-6 (65.98) in his NCAA Outdoor Championships debut. 

Hooper wrapped up his career with the fifth-farthest throw in school history in the hammer throw, a personal best he nearly matched during his performance on Wednesday. He entered this week with the eighth-best indoor weight throw mark in UW program history.

Hilby, Casey capture honorable mention All-America accolades
Freshman Patrick Hilby led the Badgers on Wednesday evening in the 800 meters, as the freshman turned in a time of 1:48.39 in his first NCAA Outdoor Championships. Hilby tallied a 19th-place finish, garnering Honorable Mention All-American honors. 

In his second-straight NCAA outdoor championship appearance, Andrew Casey was cut off heading into the homestretch and ultimately finished in 21st overall with a time of 1:52.44. 

Up Next: A trio of Badgers will be in action on Thursday for the Badger women. Chloe Lindeman will lead things off with the women's hammer throw at 3:30 p.m. CT. Taylor Kesner will compete in the women's javelin at 7:15 p.m. CT and Emma Kelley will race in the women's 800 meters at 7:58 p.m. CT. Thursday's track events will air live on ESPN while all the events can be seen online through ESPN+. 

2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon

400 Meters
16. Jalen Williams, 46.06

800 Meters
19. Patrick Hilby, 1:48.39
21. Andrew Casey, 1:52.44

1500 Meters
1. Adam Spencer, 3:41.67 Q

Shot Put
1. Jason Swarens, 69-8 (21.23m)
9. Joseph White, 63-4 (19.30m)

Hammer Throw
16. Cole Hooper - 216-6 (65.98)