‘I’m a competitor, and I like to win.’ West Salem’s Natalie Cunningham does just that, besting St. Mary’s Academy’s Jewyl Newton in down-to-the-wire shot put battle at Jesuit Twilight Relays

Cunningham, who has signed with Portland State as a soccer goalkeeper, turned in a personal-best and school-record 43-5½ on her final toss.

Author:
René Ferrán
Publish date:
May 2, 2022 3:30 PM EDT

By René Ferrán

As thrilling as the finishes were on the track at Friday’s Jesuit Twilight Relays, the drama was just as thick in the southeast corner of Cronin Field, where the girls shot put competition came down to the two final throws.

First up was St. Mary’s Academy senior Jewyl Newton, the state leader in the event who’d been struggling (for her) to that point.

With an explosive burst, though, she claimed the lead for the first time, tossing the steel ball 43 feet, 5 inches.

West Salem senior Natalie Cunningham watched the throw, heard the mark, then readied herself for her final attempt.

“I just told myself that I’m a competitor, and I like to win,” she said.

She turned and heaved the shot through the gloaming, and with a thud, it landed a half-inch past Newton’s throw, a personal-best and school-record 43-5½ toss that erased the memory of her poor showing at last week’s Oregon Relays, where she failed to hit 40 feet.

“I would say that my blood was definitely rushing,” said Cunningham, who has signed with Portland State as a soccer goalkeeper. “I’ve known Jewyl for a long time, and no matter what the result was, if I got second or I got first, I would still be proud either way.”