Stories of the Decade: #8

Oskaloosa–The most dominant thrower in William Penn history finally landing on the top of the podium takes the #8 position on the Stories of the 2010s top-10 list.

Statesmen men’s track and field star Derek Seddon entered his final outdoor campaign with numerous All-America awards, but had never captured the ultimate prize. In the spring of 2017 (his final competitive season), he accomplished his goal by winning the national title in the NAIA’s discus competition.

Seddon claimed his first All-America laurel, placing fourth in the discus as a sophomore. Then as a junior, he then took seventh in the indoor shot put event and just missed the crown in the outdoor, finishing second in the discus.

He produced a top-eight showing (fifth) in the indoor weight throw in his senior year, but all of his previous achievements were dwarfed on May 27, 2017. Seddon, who had also competed in the shot put and hammer throw earlier in the NAIA National Championships, eclipsed the field by nearly five feet with a golden toss of 183-0.

The national title was just the second in program history as he joined Pat Pilgrim who was first in the outdoor long jump in 1994. Seddon was a seven-time event champion in the discus as a senior.

Seddon capped his unparalleled career with five All-America accolades, while also breaking four WPU throwing records. He was twice voted as WPU Booster Club Player of the Year.