At first glance, Aaron Castle doesn’t look like one of the top shot-putters in the NCAA. Most throwers are large in the mid-section; he’s not.
Make no mistake: the Arizona Wildcats senior is large. But it’s 6 feet 5 inches’ worth of solid muscle.
“I am fit for a shot putter,” said Castle. “For me what’s different is that I have a lot of power and can get away with less speed in the ring. I’m still working on my technique and when it all comes together in the ring it’s great.”
When Castle walks into a meet, people notice.
“Genetics were on his side,” said T.J. Crater, Arizona’s throws coach. “He’s very strong, tall and long-armed. My philosophy is you need to be a great athlete who throws far, not just a great thrower. Aaron has one of the best work ethics of any athlete I’ve worked with and he is very, very smart. Aaron is a standout on the track, in class, as well as the type of citizen you’d like to see. He is the total package.”
The total package wrapped his career in style Wednesday night, finishing 15th in the shot put at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. His toss of 61 feet 3 inches was good enough for second-team All-America honors. Castle finishes his career as a four-time All-American; only one other shot-putter in UA history, Sean Shields, accomplished that goal.
Wednesday marked his fourth appearance in the NCAA Championships. The Wildcats will compete in Eugene through Saturday.
So how did someone who doesn’t fit the mold turn to shot put?
“I started in middle school and was drawn to throwing,” said Castle. “The shot put was natural so I stuck with it. For me, I think it’s about how complicated it is. It sounds so simple: you are throwing a metal ball. But, it is all about technique and it is complicated. What is really rewarding is seeing the improvements and it’s measurable.”
Castle’s overall improvement can be measured in many ways. One way is to look at how he’s finished in the NCAA Championships. Each year he has climbed up the list. In his redshirt freshman year, he was 22nd, sophomore year 16th and last year 15th.
Another yardstick would be that his best throw in a collegiate meet (64-5) came last month and was good enough for first place at the Duel in the Desert at Arizona State.
Castle would be the first to admit his overall improvement hasn’t been a straight, upward trajectory. It’s been more of a squiggly line with ups and downs along the way.
Yet he has improved every year, his technique has gotten better and more consistent. He peaked this season.
“With my work in the weight room I’ve gotten faster and stronger and everything came together,” he said.
His dream season almost had a premature — and tragic — ending. Castle suffered an ankle injury in mid-April when his foot hit the toe board wrong. His ankle hasn’t been the same since.
Despite the injury, Castle kept throwing and throwing well. He was named Pac-12 Player of the Week May 2 for that best-ever throw at the Duel in the Desert. At the time the throw, was the ninth best in the NCAA and the second best in the Pac-12
“The ultimate goal was making the NCAAs,” Crater said.
Mission accomplished — and more. Castle recently won the UA Sapphire Award, given annually to the top male senior athlete. He’s also a four-time All-Pac-12 selection and a three-time Academic All-American. Castle will stay at the UA to pursue a graduate degree in physical therapy.
“I’m excited that I’ve had a good career,” Castle said. “Looking back, I have no regrets.”
