In his final competition at Case Field, Washington Demon senior Tommy Peterson set the newest record in the boys’ shot put competition. Washington hosted the annual Demon Relays Friday evening at Case Field, and those in attendance witnessed Peterson’s historic throw of 55 feet 7.5 inches. The mark bested his own school record by a full seven inches, and broke the previous meet record by 3 feet and one-half inch.

Peterson says his training for the track season began immediately after the fall sports season. “After football was over I started lifting four to five times a week.” Peterson said, “Now I am lifting with coach (James) Harris four times a week and I also have a morning class at school that I condition in.”

Washington strength and conditioning coach James Harris says Peterson has been working hard at shot put since he was a teenager. “He threw AAU shot before he was even in junior-high, he has been throwing for a long time.” Harris said, “He has paid his dues and he has earned it in the weight room with sweat and being committed.”

Peterson shattered Austin Henning’s previous shot put record of 53 feet 10 and 3/4 last month in the Falcon Relays, setting the record with a throw of 55 feet 1/2 inch. His recent record breaking throw sits as the second best mark in Class 3A and is the fourth best in the state overall.

Peterson wasn’t the only top finisher for the Washington boys’ track team at last night’s Demon Relays. Fellow seniors Jacob Hennigan and Gage Redlinger performed well in the final home track meet of their careers. Hennigan placed first in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 15.10 seconds. Redlinger took home top honors in the 400 meter hurdles, crossing the finish line in 57.80 seconds. The two teamed up with Caleb Bex and Alex Gonzalez to capture first place in the 4×110 meter shuttle hurdle, completing the event in 1:00.02.

Washington as a team finished in second place at the Demon Relays with 93 points. Clear Creek Amana won the team competition, posting 143 points.

The Demon boys’ track team returns to competition Tuesday at the Indian Invitational at Wapello High School.