By: Haley Cohen
Jason Swarens was just a normal sixth-grade kid from Terre Haute, Indiana. He was like any other middle schooler trying out different sports to see which he felt was the best for him and what he could excel at.
As he tried these various games, Jason found one sport where he felt like he could see himself being the best: shot put. Little did anyone know that Jason Swarens, that sixth-grade kid going through trials at track and field practice, would go on to be the 2020 Indiana Garage Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
Now, he has carried over that success to the collegiate level, where Swarens was able to represent his home country on the world’s biggest stage.
College athletics is something that is not uncommon in the Swarens family.
Both of his grandparents were students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His grandmother was a part of Wisconsin’s dance program and his grandfather participated in both football and track and field. His mother and her three siblings went on to also compete at the collegiate level, with each of them making their own path and working hard to reach their goals. This hardworking, goal-oriented mentality is what Swarens grew up around, which can be seen through the way he holds himself and his dedication to succeed.
Swarens is now in his fifth year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is not only an incredible athlete, but also a smart, hardworking student majoring in mechanical engineering, with that goal-oriented mentality fueling his multi-faceted dedication.
Swarens was able to represent Team USA at the Under-23 meet in Costa Rica and earned a spot as a Big Ten champion and a national runner-up. He most recently broke the University of Wisconsin-Madison school record with his 21.37-meter throw. All of these awards and titles are because of his drive and determination to be successful in whatever he does.
However, achievement is not the only reason Swarens loves shot put. Throughout his throwing career, he has traveled all over the United States and the world, making a significant number of connections with teammates and coaches from a variety of backgrounds. Every meet and practice has become more than just an event because it has shown him different cultures, giving him the opportunity to develop not only as an athlete, but also as a person.
Unfortunately, with the accomplishments, there have also been obstacles in Swarens’s path, namely injuries. Every athlete knows injuries come with playing sports. They are extremely frustrating and not only a strain on someone physically but mentally as well.
In shot put, the motion itself demands explosive throws, which can cause persistent injuries. Those setbacks can mess up practice schedules and keep an athlete from even competing in events. For a dedicated athlete like Swarens, who thrives on routine and strength, those interruptions that injuries can cause are the worst part of the process.
Swarens has been throwing for 10 years; he knows a thing or two about the sport and all the training and preparation behind it. What have been some of the main takeaways he’s discovered from the countless hours of practicing shot put?
For the Big Ten champion, it’s all about approaching everything with discipline and precision. Swarens believes the effort that one puts into working on themselves outside of throwing is just as important as practicing the actual action of throwing.
What exactly does that work entail outside of throwing? It’s the working out in the weight room, keeping up with recovery sessions, and focusing on academics in the classroom. All of these factors go into setting a college athlete up for success.
For Swarens, it is not just about throwing far; it’s also about giving your all in every way you can in order to be the best athlete that you can be. Skipping class and giving half-hearted effort at practices and workouts can catch up quickly.
Throughout Swarens’s career at Wisconsin, he has set himself apart, not just by his performance, but also by his attitude and mindset on success. His coaches have appreciated his dedication and commitment to personal success. His teammates have seen him as a trustworthy and motivated athlete. Shot put is a sport that is measured by inches. For Swarens, that success is not just because of natural talent, but also due to his ability to show up, achieve, and improve.
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