SPORTS SPOTLIGHT: BRADEN GARRISON

By Mike Tupa

Bartlesville Area Sports Report


A showdown that would be worth seeing — Braden Garrison battling Gravity in a true heavyweight bout.

Chances are the odds would be even.

Garrison already has punched huge holes in gravity with the shot put— as well as other heavy weight implements.

Last May he putted the shot further than any Oklahoma high schooler has in Class 4A state track meet competition — 64-feet-4.75-inches. Those of you who don’t appreciate that feat, grab a 12-pound ball, go outside and see how far you can throw it.

As a result of his gold-medal heave at state, Garrison also captured the coveted Gatorade Oklahoma Boys Track and Field Athlete for the 2023-24 school year — a tremendous honor for him and for Dewey.

Brought on board by Kennesaw State, Garrison turned in some strong summer throws, falling just a quarter-inch shy of 60 feet at the 2024 Nike Outdoor Nationals and winning the USAFT Region 9 Junior Championship at 59-7.75.

In the hammer, he unleashed a distance of 179-4 to come in 16th in the USAFT National Junior Championships.

Garrison's progress as a shot putter has been almost truth-shattering.

Just two years ago — at the 2022 4A state track meet — Garrison's top throw of 50-6 was just good enough for the bronze medal. Within just 12 months brought home the gold medal with a toss of 55-3.5. Seven days later he delivered a rainbow gravity-busting distance of 57-8 at the 2023 Meet of Champions.

He soon eclipsed 60 feet in off-season competition, leading up to his massive 64-plus feet cannon ball in last May's state meet.

Garrison will now continue to try the next several years at Kennesaw to overpower gravity even more.

Garrison also starred in football for four years at Dewey.