Most high school students who participate in track & field never set a school record.

Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Zach Stogner ’26 did it during his second meet.

On his second throw in a home track meet on April 11, Zach posted the best shot put throw in school history with a mark of 43 feet, eight inches.

“After I threw my recorded-setting throw I waited to hear the number,” Zach explained. “And once I heard it I turned around and gave Mrs. Vartabedian a big high-five.”

Zach crushed the mark of 42-2 by more than a foot.

“I couldn't believe it,” Coach Vartabedian said. "He had had some really great javelin throws, but he had also been practicing that a lot more. Anne Kindblom and Meg Hutcheson had been coming in and working with the shot putters, and whatever they did that week had a profound effect on his throw. We don't get a lot of strong guys out for throwing, so this is a record that doesn't get broken that often. It was very exciting.  

“He came running over to me, saying ‘I think I just broke the shot put record!’ I was shocked and couldn't believe that he just threw what he did after only a few times working on it. Very impressive.”

In the first high school meet of his life, Zach recorded a throw of 36 feet. Seven days later, he threw seven feet further.

WMA won the meet against Cheshire Academy and Millbrook School.