Memorial Day Weekend Shot Put Meet: A Powerful Showcase of Talent, Leadership, and Community Impact

This Memorial Day Weekend, some of New Jersey’s top field athletes came together for an unforgettable day of competition, passion, and purpose at the Memorial Day Weekend Shot Put Meet, hosted by Jon Kalnes of Studlete.

More than just a showcase of elite athletic performance, the meet represented what can happen when sports, leadership, and community come together to create something bigger than competition.

At the center of it all was Jon Kalnes, founder of Studlete, who continues to establish himself as one of the top field event coaches in the State of New Jersey. Through his leadership, commitment to athlete development, and passion for growing the sport of throwing, Jon has built Studlete into more than a training organization — he has created a culture rooted in discipline, growth, opportunity, and excellence.

By hosting this event to benefit Empower Sports Network, Jon and Studlete demonstrated that athletics can be about more than results. They can be about giving back, building partnerships, and creating meaningful opportunities that positively impact others.

A Showcase of New Jersey Throwing Talent

The meet highlighted some of the top throwers from the Shore Conference and beyond, showcasing the strength, competitiveness, and future of New Jersey’s throwing community.

From explosive throws and intense competition to athletes encouraging one another throughout the event, the Memorial Day Weekend Shot Put Meet was filled with energy, sportsmanship, and a deep respect for the sport.

Top 3 Finishers

🥇 Ayden Winters – Ocean Township High School – 60’7”

🥈 Jaxon Ellis – Brick Memorial High School – 58’7”

🥉 Nicholas Dena – Westfield High School – 52’9”

Each of these athletes demonstrated outstanding dedication, focus, and preparation, delivering performances that reflected the high level of talent found within New Jersey track & field.

A special spotlight belongs to Ayden Winters, who continues to make his mark as one of the top throwers in the Shore Conference while proudly representing Empower Sports Network. His first-place throw of 60’7” was a tremendous accomplishment and a true reflection of hard work, discipline, and consistency.

Seeing an Empower Sports Network representative compete at such a high level reminds us why investing in athletes, opportunity, and community matters.

More Than a Meet — A Lasting Community Impact

What made this event especially meaningful was what happened beyond the throwing circle.

Studlete, led by Jon Kalnes, generously donated proceeds from the event to benefit Empower Sports Network. That act of generosity speaks volumes about Jon’s character, leadership, and commitment to supporting opportunities that extend far beyond competition.

At Empower Sports Network, we believe sports have the power to inspire, connect, and create opportunities for growth.

Support like this helps us continue building opportunities through athletics, fitness, leadership, media, and community-based programming that bring people together and help individuals grow both on and off the field.

This partnership is a powerful reminder that when organizations support one another, meaningful change can happen.

Thank You to Jon Kalnes & Studlete

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jon Kalnes and Studlete for believing in our mission and supporting Empower Sports Network through this incredible event.

Their leadership, generosity, and dedication to athletes continue to leave a lasting impact both on and off the field. Jon’s commitment to helping athletes succeed while investing back into the community reflects what true leadership looks like.

The Memorial Day Weekend Shot Put Meet was more than a competition.

It was a celebration of talent.A reflection of discipline.A showcase of leadership.A demonstration of sportsmanship.A reminder that sports can unite communities.And proof that when passionate leaders and organizations come together, real impact can happen.

As Empower Sports Network continues to grow, partnerships like this help strengthen our mission of creating opportunities through sports, media, leadership, and community.

The future is bright for New Jersey throwing. The future is bright for athletes. And the future is even brighter when people come together to build something bigger than themselves.

Thank you to Jon Kalnes, Studlete, and every athlete who stepped into the ring and represented the throwing community at a high level. Your hard work, leadership, and passion continue to inspire what is possible. 🔥💪🏆

— Empower Sports NetworkEmpowering People Through Sports, Media & Community