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Kaylon Metcalf continues Giddings’ medal legacy at UIL state track meet  

The senior is part of a 10-year tradition of Buffaloes’ throwers competing at state meet 

Giddings’ Kaylon Metcalf makes a throw in the girls Class 4A shot put on Thursday, May 2, 2024 during the UIL state tradk and field championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

By Michael Adams 
madams@onthesidelinessports.com  

Giddings track and field coach Kenneth Roberts has built a dynasty over the past 10 years.  

Roberts has had a thrower competing at the UIL state track and field championships every year since 2015.  

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His latest pupil, senior Kaylon Metcalf, continued that dynasty on Thursday, taking home second place in the Class 4A girls’ shot put at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.  

“It felt a little overwhelming, but I mean, I’ve been wanting to get to state all year and I finally accomplished that and won a medal,” said Metcalf, who was competing in her first state track meet. “Competing at the Texas Relays earlier this year helped with my nerves a lot. It feels good to come in second and win a medal.”  

Metcalf joins a distinguished list of throwers coached by Roberts that reached the state meet, with includes current Texas A&M thrower Carlie Weiser, who won gold medals in both the girls discus and shot put three years in a row at the state meet.  

Roberts said he’s fortunate to have been able to coach a lot of good athletes, something he attributes to having a lot of luck. 

“We’ve been fortunate to have some good athletes come through Giddings,” Roberts said. “I can tweak a few things here and there, but most of it has to do with the athletes that come through our program. They’re talented, and they work hard at it. That’s the difference.”  

Giddings’ Kaylon Metcalf and coach Kenneth Roberts watches on during the girls Class 4A shot put on Thursday, May 2, 2024 during the UIL state tradk and field championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

Metcalf entered Thursdays shot put finals with the second-best seed throw behind Valerie Hunt of Monahans and ahead of Andrews’ Mya Jones.  

The results played out as predicted.  

Hunt won the event with a throw of 46 feet, 0.25 inches on her second attempt. Jones finished third with a toss of 39-11 on her final attempt.  

Metcalf bested her seed mark of 41 feet, 2.5 inches with a throw of 41-8.5 on her fourth throw.  

“She was a couple of inches short of her best throw, but it was right where it needed to be,” Roberts said. “Getting a medal in your first year, that’s a good day.”