There’s only one way to describe Jackson Cantwell, “He’s a generational talent,” said Nixa Throwing Coach Phil Wickwar.
As a 6’8” freshman, he not only outthrows his competition but he almost outthrows the sand pit.
In his very first high school meet, in his very first high school throws, Jackson broke Nixa school records in the discus and shot put.
“It’s really, really impressive,” Wickwar said. “We knew it was going to happen it was just a matter of time.”
“{It} felt like a pretty normal meet,” said Jackson.
That’s because he has his eyes on bigger goals, “I’m more excited to see where I go among the national rankings,” he said.
Jackson has big dreams because dreaming big runs in the Cantwell family as both his parents were Olympians.
“He’s got the big goals, but he understands that there’s a process to get there, so I think at a young age I felt that too,” said Jackson’s mom Teri Cantwell.
Christian and Teri Cantwell have transitioned from two of the world’s best shot putters to two of the best coaches.
“They know everything there is to know about the sport. It’s great, you can’t get much better than that,” Jackson said.
His parents say his good release comes from his mom.
“I think in the shot he has his mom’s bullwhip arm,” said Jackson’s dad Christian Cantwell.
“That’s what I would say I love that takes after me on one thing,” Teri Cantwell said.
“She had a big arm, so that’s why his stands are so good. Turning your right side into the throw is really hard for most kids to get. He does that naturally, always has, I never did it that good,” Christian Cantwell added.
In just one meet he’s beaten his dad’s high school shot put personal best.
“60 feet one inch is his furthest and I threw 61 feet 5 inches,” Jackson said.
Jackson is also finding success on the football field.
“Pretty much every single college that’s recruited me so far said I can do both,” he said.
Jackson has eight offers for football at some of the nation’s best programs like TCU, Texas A&M, Kansas State, Arkansas, and Missouri to name a few.
“I always knew he was going to have opportunities, especially from track,” Christian Cantwell said. “I always thought his size would give him a lot of opportunities in other sports as well I didn’t know it would come this quick, it’s a little bit of a shock.”
However, college is a ways away as Jackson still has four years left to make his mark.
“In 35 years of coaching somebody that talented working that hard is pretty special,” Wickwar said.
“It’s important not to get too far ahead to worry about what you’re going to do later just be where his feet are for a while,” Christian Cantwell said.
“The sky is the limit and they have their goals and we’re hoping to keep him healthy and he’s got four years,” Wickwar added.
Four years to make more history.
