The Burlington School Board on Monday congratulated Burlington High School sophomore Kylee Hill on her most recent accomplishment: becoming Iowa’s top shot put thrower.
Kylee threw 46′ 7″ on April 8 in Fairfield, breaking the school’s previous record of 46′ that she set last year.
The record-breaking athlete has been throwing the shot put and running track since seventh grade. She first became interested in the sport after participating in the sixth grade track meet.
“I threw it there and I did really good and I just fell in love and kept doing it over the years,” Kylee said.
In previous years, Kylee has used the glide approach to throwing shot put, but in recent weeks has shifted to rotational throwing.
“Rotational shot-put is completely different than glides,” Kylee said. “It’s learning some new things and going through the ups and downs on the roller coaster rotation.”
Kylee was joined at the meeting by BHS Track & Field Head Coach Joshua Osborn and Throws Coach Joe Hess-Haughey.
“She came into state champion at seventh and eighth grade,” Hess-Haughey said. “I’m just here collecting the accolades with her.”
With her new record, Kylee met the Blue Ribbon Standard, automatically qualifying for the Drake Relays, where she will be joined by fellow BHS athletes including Mylee Stiefel, who earned the Blue Ribbon Standard in the Mount Pleasant Relays on April 4, when she placed first in the 100.
