Story byLeader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.

UWEC's Stankiewicz completes NCAA shot put sweep

Craig Sesker, The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.Sat, May 30, 2026·2 min read

Gage Stankiewicz saved his best for last. And became a national champion.

The UW-Eau Claire senior delivered with a clutch throw on his final attempt to win the shot put competition at the NCAA Division III Championships last week.

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Stankiewicz completed a sweep of the NCAA shot put competitions after winning an indoor national title earlier this year.

In second place going into his last throw at outdoor nationals last Friday at UW- La Crosse, Stankiewicz knew he needed to do something special.

“I knew I had to put everything into it,” he said. “I knew it was my last throw collegiately and I didn’t want to hold back.”

Stankiewicz didn’t hold back, launching a throw that went 18.77 meters.

“I didn’t hit it perfectly, but I had a lot of energy and adrenaline,” he said. “I definitely knew it was good, for sure. When it landed, I knew it was pretty good.

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“I started watching the board and saw 18.77. And that put me into the lead.”

Stankiewicz qualified eighth for the finals, so he had to wait for seven other competitors to make their last attempts.

“It was a waiting game,” he said. “There were a couple guys at the end that I knew had the potential to beat my throw.”

But it didn’t happen and Stankiewicz became a two-time national champion in the shot put.

“I think it was just a lot of relief,” he said. “There was a lot of pressure. It was my last meet and I wanted to finish strong. I wanted to end on a good note.

“I didn’t throw as far as I wanted to, but winning my second title was great. It was pretty awesome to be a national champion indoors and outdoors.”

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Stankiewicz, from Esko, Minnesota, had moved into second place during the finals after throwing 18.41 meters on his second attempt.

“That was also a relief after not doing very well in the prelims,” he said. “I got a little more pumped up during the finals.”

Stankiewicz continued UW-Eau Claire’s strong tradition of national excellence in the shot put.

Stankiewicz finished his college career as a five-time All-American.

He placed fifth indoors in the shot put at the 2024 national meet. He finished seventh outdoors in the shot put and discus at the 2025 NCAAs.

Stankiewicz delivered when the stakes were highest during his last collegiate season. He could not have scripted a better way to go out.

“It was my last meet in college and it was a fun competition,” he said. “It obviously was a great way to finish. It was good to be able to perform under pressure. I am very happy with how it ended.”