Above: Kyle Uhl gears up to throw the shotput. Photo courtesy of Zach Polley.
Spring is here at St. Ambrose University. While everyone is outside in shorts and enjoying the
weather, Junior, Kyle Uhl is in the Wellness and Recreation Center (WRC) putting in the work to
make his goal.
Kyle is a member for track and field team and is currently ranked in the top 40 in National
Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for shot putter.
Kyle specifically chose to be a shot putter because he said “Out of all of the events, I did it
because it was the one I fell in love with from the start”. Kyle says it’s his size and strength that
helps him throw as far as 15.33 meters.
The shot put is a track and field event that involves throwing a heavy ball as far as possible.
His goal is to make it back to the top 25 for the outdoor season. “Motivation” is Kyle’s key to be
successful.
Kyle grew up in Michigan with his parents. When Kyle was about eight years old, his parents
split up and his father moved to Illinois.
Kyle has seven siblings but none of them are fully related to him. But he has a warm heart and
says, “I’m always there for them at all times.”
Kyle says summers were rough growing up when he moved back with his mother. “I would deal
with things that would give him trauma.”
Kyle says he liked living with his dad more. “My dad really made me who I am today.” Kyle loves
to hunt and fish. He also rides dirt bikes in his free time.
He says he also learned his true love for sports, which made him choose Saint Ambrose. Not
only does he like the size of the campus, but he feels comfortable here.
As he has a sports management major he hopes one day he’ll coach college football or work for
a sports organization. “ I fell in love with the game…. And I want to continue my career with
football.”
Kyle hopes that this year‘s track and field season will be his best yet. He hopes to put up his
best numbers and continue rising in the rankings to make it to nationals.
Kyle says his family really motivates him. “They push me to do better….. They don’t want me to
go down a path of failure.” Kyle then said “it makes him do makes things to the best of his
abilities.”
Kyle uses his motivation towards shot put and it seems to be working. He’s had his best season
so far, and hopes to continue to break his own personal records.
Kyle is working to make it to nationals. Kyle has the confidence and the power to get the job
done and make his school and family proud. The outdoor season for track and field starts in
April 6th and he’s looking forward to it.
Alex Stepinski is a staff writer for The Buzz.
