WEST ALEXANDRIA — On Thursday, Feb. 4, Twin Valley South senior and the defending Division III state shot-put champion, Aaron Deaton, officially announced his signing with the University of Cincinnati to continue his track and field career with the Bearcats.
“I went down on a couple of visits and their coaches, athletes and atmosphere made me feel at home,” the senior said of the school. “With the coaches I feel like I’ll be taken care of there and there wasn’t really any negatives to my visits. I was just really comfortable there.”
Deaton says the Bearcats will be getting an athlete with a good work ethic. “I feel like I will bring a hard work ethic,” he said. “I’m going to be the best athlete I can be for myself. I’m not there to break records or anything, I’m there to be the best I can be and be the best athlete I can be, try perform the best I can.”
Deaton said the community has had a positive impact on his career at Twin Valley South. “The community of people I can always come back to, all the resources, the community through football and any sport has really supported me and my classmates — it’s been great,” Deaton said. “There is a really good pool of people who have supported me around here and I’ll always appreciate that.”
Deaton says he plans to study business while attending the university.
Deaton will return for the Panthers to attempt to repeat as shot-put state champion. He won the state competition in June of 2015, defeating the next closest opponent by seven and a half inches.
It was the first individual state title for Twin Valley South since 2004. It was the school’s first gold medal for a thrower.
Deaton beat his personal record twice at the stat meet, tossing a throw of 55 feet, two and one half inches before his winning throw of 56 feet, nine inches on this third throw.
Deaton was joined at the signing by head coach Richie Faber, throwing coach Jim Wells, and parents Conni and David Deaton.
