Fowler's Budwig ascends to top of podium. 'That was crazy and an amazing feeling'

Jocelynn Budwig always dreamt of becoming a state champion.

Her dream became a reality after the Fowler High junior finished with a top throw of 46-11 Saturday to take first place in the shot put in the two-day CIF State Track & Field Championships at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

“Every single emotion was going through my head,” Budwig said. “I started crying. Everything paid off and it’s a relief.”

Budwig placed seventh as a sophomore, signaling her arrival on the state stage. She becomes the fourth Fowler athlete to win a state title, joining Ken Horn (440, 1939) and Billy Cowings (100, 1960; 220, 1960), section historian Ron Blackwood said..

She also placed third in discus and said she feels she’ll do better next season. She had a mark of 161-0. Erica Grotegeer of Wheatland had the top mark at 174-9.

“I just went out there and did what I had to do,” Budwig said. “And I popped one out. I stood on top of that podium. That was crazy and an amazing feeling.”

This story was originally published June 3, 2018 at 1:45 AM with the headline "Fowler's Budwig ascends to top of podium. 'That was crazy and an amazing feeling'."