The shot put, originally developed in the highlands of Scotland in the 19th century, has been an Olympic sport since 1896. The event consists of a 16-pound metal orb held against an athlete’s neck as they push, spin and launch the object through the air.

Over a century later, and 4,700 miles away from the rolling highlands, Oregon track and field has two of the best shot putters in the NCAA: redshirt sophomore Kobe Lawrence and redshirt freshman Ben Smith. Lawrence is competing in his second season as a Duck, blowing past last season’s numbers. Smith is competing in his first season as a Duck. Although he was on the team last season, he did not compete in the indoor season, and competed unattached (as an individual, unaffiliated) in the outdoor season.

In the 2025-26 indoor season, Smith and Lawrence excelled in their event. It seemed as if each time they went out to throw, there was a good chance they were going to set a personal best, a meet record, a new school record — or all three. In the Big Ten Championships, Lawrence finished sixth after throwing for 19.29m (63’3’’), and Smith finished second, throwing for 19.93m (65’5’’). But the NCAA Indoor Championships were the Ducks’ playground. Lawrence set a new school record on the biggest stage of the indoor season: the Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. Though Lawrence didn’t take home first, he threw for 20.50m (67’3’’), a personal best, and secured second place.

Smith did not compete in the 2024-25 indoor season, but he’s excelled in the 2025-26 season. Along with Lawrence, Smith had a great day on the big stage. He threw for a personal best, Oregon No. 2 mark, in the NCAA Indoor Championships, with a 20.37m (66’10’’) throw to finish fourth. A couple weeks into the outdoor season, Lawrence and Smith got their first outdoor shot put events underway. Until the second day of the Oregon Team Invitational on April 18, both had been competing exclusively in discus events.

Smith showed growth throughout the indoor season, each meet’s numbers getting better, and that continued into the outdoor season. He took home first in the event with a throw of 20.39m (66’10’’), which was a personal best and placed him fourth all-time in the outdoor shot put event. That throw placed him second in the outdoor season USTFCCCA shot put rankings, just behind University of Mississippi thrower Tarik O’Hagan.

“I felt good. Thought I looked good,” Smith said. Lawrence finished second, and set a season best at 19.50m. “Felt good, trying to build my way back up,” Lawrence said. “My timing is a bit off right now.”

Smith and Lawrence have one remaining home regular season meet: the Oregon Twilight, on May 8.