WICHITA, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - As the defending 1A state champion in boys discus and shotput, Casey Helm is making a splash at his high school in Madison, agreeing to a scholarship to throw at Princeton University next year.

In his senior year at Madison High School, Casey Helm has achieved a lot; winning a state championship in both shot put and discus, hitting a discus PR of 202 feet and becoming a college athlete.

“I’m very happy with that mark, 200 feet has been a goal since I started the discus and I wasn’t sure I’d ever get there but now that I’ve got there, I’m just super excited and hope I keep getting better,” said Madison senior thrower Casey Helm.

“Not very often do you get to see a kid throw a discus 200 feet or a shotput 61 feet, so I’m trying to soak it all in the best I can,” said Madison head track coach Alec McMillian.

Helm’s grandfather has been a throwing coach at Madison for over 20 years and planted the seed for Helm’s throwing passion.

“I actually started a little before junior high because my grandpa just gave me a girls discus and said, ‘Do you want to try throwing it?’ And I kind of fell in love with it,” said Helm.

“If you saw a before and after picture, it’d be a completely different kid. He’s really grown into his body, and I think he’s still growing and that’s what’s crazy,” said McMillian. “He’s 6′4′' 250 pounds, that’s a pretty good-sized high school kid.”

That size and talent level, catching the eye of football coaches and track coaches from Iowa, K-State and Texas Tech but it was Princeton University that caught his eye.

“I realized it was the kind of place I wanted to be because it just felt like home and I knew it was a once in a lifetime experience,” said Helm.

“I don’t think Casey is anywhere near his potential yet, I think he’s getting bigger, stronger, faster every day,” said McMillian. “He works his tail off so I’m excited to see where he’s going to end up.”

The future Ivy Leaguer said he’s sitting about third in the country with his most recent discus throw.

Rising Star: Madison T&F athlete Casey Helm