MAKING HIS MARK: UWEC's Strouf captures NCAA shot put title

It has been a long, winding and adversity filled track and field career for UW-Eau Claire's Adam Strouf. The senior from Rice Lake competed for two NCAA Division I universities before finding the perfect fit not far from where he grew up.

His final collegiate stop has proven to be his most productive and memorable. Strouf captured an NCAA Division III indoor shot put title for the Blugolds last weekend in Rochester, New York.

The 23-year-old claimed the top spot on the podium with a personal best throw of 18.35 meters. That translates to a personal best distance of 60 feet, 2 inches.

Strouf was in second place until unleashing his winning throw on his fifth attempt.

"I could tell it was a good throw when it left my hand," he said. "I thought I had enough to take the lead, and fortunately I did. I threw my arms up, and I was shouting and jumping up and down after I took the lead. I was visibly excited and I let my emotions go."

Strouf captured a championship after placing fourth at DIII nationals in 2024.

Reaching the top of the national podium didn't exactly happen overnight. Strouf was a highly touted college recruit after winning a state title in the shot put and placing second in the discus for Rice Lake High School.

He accepted a scholarship offer to throw for Auburn University. Strouf had a good freshman season during the 2020-21 school year, recording an outdoor PR of 60 feet, 11 inches in the shot put. He also made the Southeastern Conference all-freshman team.

Strouf said he didn't have as much scholarship money available after his first season at Auburn and he elected to transfer to Indiana University. Strouf was a member of the Hoosiers for two seasons.

"I didn't perform like I had hoped," he said. "I broke my throwing hand and I was battling some injuries that set me back at Indiana."

Following the 2023 season, Strouf made a difficult decision. He left Indiana and moved back home to Wisconsin.

"Indiana had a new coaching staff coming in and I walked away from track and field," he said. "I spent the next five or six months sleeping on friends' couches and working."

Strouf figured his competitive career was over. But then Curt Jensen entered the picture. Jensen is one of the throws coaches at UW-Eau Claire.

"Curt reached out to me about the possibility of me coming there," Strouf said. "I decided to give UW-Eau Claire a shot. It took about a week to fall in love with the culture, the coaching staff and the team. And I really like the school and the professors we have. It's been a top-notch experience for me."

Smaller than most of the athletes he competes against, the 5-foot-11, 260-pound Strouf uses his power and explosion to excel at the weight events.

His work in the weight room has translated to success in the ring. He back squats 750 pounds and can power clean 460 pounds.

Strouf made an immediate impact while becoming an All-American with his fourth place national finish for UWEC in 2024. Winning a national title this season provided the cherry on top for his time with the Blugolds.

"It was real emotional, winning the national title. It is a feeling I won't soon forget," he said. "It has been a long road for me. It was just kind of a relief more than anything when I won. I realized how lucky and fortunate I was to have one last opportunity to compete."

Strouf, a mathematics major at UW-Eau Claire, wasn't spending much time relaxing while on spring break this week. He was busy working in business development for Chippewa Valley Door. He plans to continue working for the company after graduation.

Before that happens, he has one final milestone he would like to achieve during the outdoor track season for the Blugolds. He wants to win another NCAA championship.

"That's the goal," he said. "I am going to give it my best shot."

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