Gavin Rabon Ends Senior Season with Double Gold and School Records
Gavin Rabon closed out his senior year with a dominant performance at the 2025 NCISAA Division 3 State Track & Field Championships, earning double gold in both the shot put and discus, while setting new personal bests and school records in both events.
As a junior, Gavin placed 12th in shot put and 4th in discus, throwing 34' 8.25" and 126' respectively. While setting a school record in discus at that meet, Gavin left disappointed, narrowly missing the podium and a medal. That experience lit a fire that shaped the year to come. He committed himself during the off-season, putting in consistent work to make sure he wouldn’t feel that same frustration again.
From the beginning of the season, Gavin made it clear he was competing on a mission. He broke his own school record in discus three separate times and raised the standard in shot put as well, setting a new top mark during regular-season competition. Entering the state meet ranked second in shot and first in discus, Gavin brought both focus and confidence to the biggest stage of his high school career. In the shot put, he opened strong with a throw of 43' 4.5" — a personal best, a school record, and a gold-medal-winning mark that beat the rest of the field by nearly a full foot. The energy from that performance carried into discus, where Gavin faced much tighter competition. After three rounds, he sat in second place behind a leading throw of 136' 1.5", a mark five feet beyond his previous best.
Despite the pressure, Gavin didn’t back down. On his fourth and final attempt, he threw exactly 136' 1.5", tying for first and forcing a tiebreaker. It came down to the next-furthest throw — and Gavin’s second-best mark sealed the win and gave him his second state title of the day. The moment was the result of months of preparation, resilience, and mental toughness. Gavin’s double-gold finish was not only a personal achievement but a proud moment for the entire O’Neal team. Head Varsity Coach Mason Kinn said about Rabon’s performance, “His growth over the past year, both physically and mentally, reflects the standard he set for himself and the legacy he now leaves behind.”
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