Naming Martinus Mitchell The Metro Independent Athlete of the Week may seem like a broken record, but he just keeps breaking records. This week, he included an Illinois state championship in the shot put to go along with the numerous school records he holds for heaving the 12-pound ball.

Martinus Mitchell throws the shot put at the Collinsville Invitational on May 10, 2014 / Photo by Roger Starkey

Mitchell’s winning throw this weekend was 61-feet 3/4-inches, slightly below his latest school record, and top throw in Illinois this year, of 61-08.5. Collinsville Athletic Director Darin Lee pointed out that  Mitchell is the fifth male track and field athlete in Collinsville history to win a state championship.

Previous Kahok state champions included a Hall of Fame football player and a major league baseball player. Bob Wood was the only other Collinsville state champion in the shot put. Wood’s throw of 54-9 5/8 was tops at the state meet in 1949.

George Musso won the javelin throw in 1929, becoming the first Kahok state champion in track and field. He went on to a 12-year career for the Chicago Bears and was inducted in the pro football Hall of Fame in 1982.

Future Detroit Tiger Walter “Hoot” Evers was also a javelin champion. After winning state in 1938, he went on to play baseball at the University of Illinois before being drafted by the Detroit Tigers. In his 12 year-career, interrupted by World War II, Evers played for five teams.

Current Kansas Jayhawk Dominique Manley won the 800-meter race in 2010.

Mitchell will attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the fall.