Camden Ables wins state discus gold, follows family

AUSTIN — Camden Ables knew he had to show out for Hawley as the only athlete from his school at the UIL state track and field meet Friday. Ables embraced the spotlight and tossed a Class 2A gold medal-winning discus throw that traveled 172 feet and three inches at Mike A. Meyers Stadium.

More: Stephenville's Kolton Dearth having fun while winning gold “At first I was nervous for sure,” Ables said. “But I said a quick little prayer before I threw, and everything turned out as it should. ” The junior admitted he struggled at the beginning of the event, faulting on three of his first four throws.

After his first four attempts, he sat in eighth place with his only qualifying throw measuring at 143-8 — far from his Region II winning and school record-breaking throw of 171-9. More: Live track & field updates from Day 2 of Texas high school state finals On his fifth attempt, Ables said everything finally clicked. “I can normally feel like how (the throw) is going to be from the start,” Ables said.

“If the back of my throw fits well, then everything goes well. I can feel it as soon as I release it — On that one, I kinda just had that feeling in it. ” Even though Ables’ fifth throw secured a safe spot at the top of the podium, he added a 170-2 throw on his final attempt, which also would have still won him the event and been three feet past second place.