Wichita ? Three Baldwin High track and field athletes earned their first-ever Class 4A state medals on Friday during the first day of competition at Cessna Stadium.

Three Bulldogs medaled in four field events. Senior Jesse Austin led the Bulldogs with a third-place finish in the shot put. He threw 51 feet, 9.75 inches, which was his personal best by one foot.

“It feels awesome,” Austin said. “I was completely disappointed with discus. I was very angry, so to come over and make up in the shot put is awesome. I came here hoping to get a medal, and that’s what I did, but third is even sweeter.”

Austin also qualified for state in the discus, but had one of his worst days of the season in the ring. However, sophomore Dayton Valentine earned his first state medal in the discus Friday. His toss of 144-7 was good enough for fourth place.

Sophomore Monica Howard was the lone medalist for the BHS girls’ team. She threw 117-2 to place fifth in javelin and cleared 5-0 to finish seventh in high jump.

Baldwin also qualified individuals in the 400-meter dash and 300-meter hurdles, as well as teams in 400-meter and 1,600-meter relays.

BHS will also be competing in the 100-meter dash prelims, 800-meter run, 1,600-meter run and 3,200-meter relays today.