If Brad Szypka's indoor season is any indication, he could be well on his way to qualifying for his first outdoor state track and field meet this spring.

Szypka, a senior discus and shot put thrower at Genoa, said reaching the Division II state meet in Columbus in early June is a “top priority.”

“Especially after this indoor season,” he said. “I'm driven to be No. 1 in shot and discus at state this year.”

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Szypka qualified to the D-II regional meet in the discus last season but was unable to get out of districts in the shot put.

Szypka competed in 11 meets since the indoor season began on Jan. 9 and did very well, culminating the season with a first-place finish in the weight throw at the OATCCC Ohio State Indoor Track and Field Championship March 19 at the University of Akron.

Brad Szypka

He won the weight throw with a distance of 64-1.75 feet after qualifying with a throw of 64-7 on Feb. 6 at the Oiler High School Invite at the University of Findlay.

Szypka also placed sixth in the shot at the OATCCC event, with a top throw of 54-0. Dylan Dyke, a sophomore from Waverly, won the shot with a throw of 57-4.25. Szypka qualified to the OATCCC Championship by throwing a personal-best 55-7 at the GaReat American Scholastic Indoor National Championship on March 13 in Geneva, Ohio.

Szypka took first place in the shot and weight throw at the GaReat American event.

“I expected to peak (at the OATCCC meet),” Szypka said. “I went into practice the Friday before that and I was throwing huge numbers out there. I was throwing mid-70s with the weight, and then I got to Akron and it just felt like it was gone.

“The warmups were going good, but I couldn't hit the right spots. I thought, 'this is one of those days where I have to keep pushing through.' It was bittersweet. I was happy I finished first and sixth, but I still expected more from myself.”

Szypka said the indoor season has several benefits.

“It prepares me for outdoors,” he said. “It's like a preseason warmup and it gives me the extra practice for when I go outdoors and I can throw farther. It's like spring and winter. It's good for preparing me for college to throw far and do well in the NCAA.”

Szypka has already signed a letter of intent to throw for the University of Kentucky's track and field team next year. He said he knew Kentucky was the place he wanted to go following his official visit to the Lexington campus.

“They have great facilities and coaching to help me succeed at the next level,” he said.

Szypka also won indoor weight throw events on Jan. 22 at the Ohio State University Buckeye High School Qualifier, on Jan. 23 at the Findlay High School Invite, on Jan. 30 at the Sid Sink High School Indoor at Bowling Green State University, and on Feb. 20 at the Kent State High School Open.

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