Kitchell Finishes As Runner-Up In Shot Put At NCAA Championships

Wednesday, June 11

Eugene, Ore.

All Day

North Carolina

NCAA Outdoor Championships

Tommy Kitchell Finishes as national runner up in the men's shot put

Kitchell Finishes As Runner-Up In Shot Put At NCAA Championships

June 12, 2025 | Track & Field

EUGENE, ORE. - Tommy Kitchell (20.74m) closed out his incredible college career with his best finish ever at the National Championships as the shot put silver medalist. On the last throw of his college career, he launched a massive PR shattering the school record for the second time this postseason. Today's performance was Kitchell's best championship performance, which was coincidentally his first outdoor national championships. His previous best finish was a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Indoor National Championships.

NATIONAL RUNNER-UP 🥈

Tommy Kitchell launches a massive PR to secure the silver medal in the men's shot put in the national championships!

📐20.74m (68-½)#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/62MgGkWRLC
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) June 12, 2025

The competition was not without drama as Kitchell was sitting in fifth place heading into the last throw of the night. For the second time in as many meets, Kitchell launched a major throw during his last throw of the competition. Kitchell earned his third First-Team All-American honors. Kitchell's win was the exclamation point on one of the best shot put seasons in Carolina history, as he produced the best finish ever at the outdoor national championships by a men's shot putter.

Hayward magic ✨#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/cZcRMpHjtN
— UNC Track & Field • XC (@UNCTrack_Field) June 12, 2025

Kitchell closed out his one year as a Tar Heel with his name all over the record book. He set the school record twice in the shot put during the outdoor season. He holds the number two all-time mark (20.47m) during the indoor season. He swept the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships in the shot put.

The three-time ACC 1,500m champion, Ethan Strand, qualified for the finals in the men's 1500m by taking fourth overall in his heat and field. Strand will compete on Friday at 5:12 p.m.