Krueger’s prayers are answered with state shot put title
Blooming Prairie’s Owen Krueger prays during the last round of the shot put finals. Krueger held a lead from the first round and nobody was able to beat his mark. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
Blooming Prairie senior shot putter Owen Krueger left little doubt over the course of the 2025 season with his statistics that he was going to be a state title contender, but when his big moment arrived, it was more than his athleticism that he credits for helping him become a state champion.
Krueger could be seen praying during the final round of the Class A shot put finals at St. Michael-Albertville High School as he hoped his mark of 55 feet, 10.25 inches would hold up.
“I had like a five-minute long prayer before I started doing my warm ups and I was just hopeful for whatever He would give me. I got the chance to be here again, and I didn’t want to waste it this time… Last year I lost my shot put before I started and I was freaking out the whole time. I didn’t know how to control that feeling. I think my faith that it would all work out kept me composed this time,” said Krueger.
The senior wasted no time getting to work posting big numbers in his final chance at state glory.
His first throw of the tournament was his best, and ultimately his winning distance at 55 feet, 10.25 inches – another personal and school record to boot.
“It felt amazing with it being my first throw and it being the furthest of the night so far. Playing catch-up as a thrower is extremely stressful, and I’ve been there before. When you get out ahead and everyone else is stressing behind you, it helps you keep that lead,” said Krueger.
Krueger’s biggest scare of the tournament came in the second round when Canby/Minneota’s Cayden Anderson came just two inches shy of tying his mark for the lead.
However, as the rounds went on, most athletes began to fade or lost their technique for costly fouls.
The weight of every throw sat on Krueger’s shoulder, and the senior admitted it was not easy to watch as the state’s best all gunned for his mark.
A few throws managed to surpass his distance, but all resulted in red-flag fouls that kept Krueger safe in first place.
When the final ball landed short, it was hard for the senior to contain his excitement.
“I was trying to fight back tears of joy there. Hugging all my teammates, friends and coaches… It’s amazing. It all became real so fast. I get to have my picture in the commons in our Blooming Prairie Hall of Fame now. It feels great,” said Krueger.