Oregon Ducks commit Austin Milton of Sherwood wins 6A javelin title at his future college home

“It hasn’t fully set in that I’m coming here. But I’m really excited to throw here.”

By René Ferrán 

EUGENE — A month ago, Austin Milton celebrated his signing with the University of Oregon by throwing a personal-best 209 feet to win the javelin title at the Jesuit Twilight Relays. 

Saturday, the Sherwood senior returned to his future home at Hayward Field and emerged a state champion.

Milton led the Class 6A boys competition wire-to-wire, capping the event with his best throw of the day — a 193-2 that wrapped up the gold medal at the OSAA state championships.

To that point, Milton had a best of 187-8, but his other throws had been in the 170s, and “there was a little bit of, like, come on, get it together,” he said. “I mean, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, but that last throw, even though I had the win, I wanted to do a good throw.”

Milton finished third at state as a junior despite his technique not being where he wanted it.

“Last year, I focused a lot on the weight room, because I hadn’t done much lifting before then, and it killed my form,” he said.

Practices this spring focused on changes in his form that finally started coming together at the Twilight meet.

“I’m still building that muscle, but now it’s evened out, getting the muscle with the technique,” he said. “Finally hitting the block, being able to get that pull, that’s what changed everything.”

Now, with a state title under his belt, Milton will embark on his college career at his dream school.

“It’s still getting to me. It hasn’t fully set in that I’m coming here,” he said. “But I’m really excited to throw here.”