Bill Deeter, the M65 thrower from Lyons, would have loved Lyon
Bill lucked out to have Brent Drinkut of the Statesman Journal take his picture.
Here’s the rest of the profile:
Deeter, 67, had only ever thrown the shot put and discus competitively in high school and college so all of the other throws, including javelin, were new to him.
After seeing that he could still throw without injuring himself, Deeter signed up for his first meet in Seattle. His goal was to throw the shot put and if that were successful he would throw the discus. He found out that it was going to be a throws pentathlon so he bought a hammer and started practicing all of the throws.
He enjoyed that first meet and did so well that he kept signing up for meets. In his first year as a masters track thrower, he competed in 20 meets.
Deeter has been competing competitively now for seven years. He competes in the 65-69 age group. His best throw is the 44-lb Super Weight throw were he is ranked fifth in the world. In the past year he has set a personal record in the Ultra Weight Pentathlon where he is ranked second in the world.
“It’s reinvigorated me again and gives me some good cardio,” Deeter said. “(Over the years) I’ve met a number of Olympians and a lot of neat people. I’ve been able to travel and have been to seven national championships.”
Jerry Huhn, who himself is a masters track thrower, stayed in contact with Deeter over the years. He started throwing in 2006 at the age of 67 and still competes.
“We both have an interest in weightlifting and as we got into our 60s I knew that we were relatively strong for our age,” Huhn said. “The main reason I contacted him about it is I thought he might enjoy it and I thought he might do well because he’s maintained a good level of fitness.”
Deeter wasn’t always this good at throwing. As a high school senior he had good enough stats to garner college interest, but he wasn’t the best thrower at the school.
“He came to (the NAIA) college in the lower end of the ladder in terms of high school performances,” Huhn said. “However, he was so diligent and worked so hard that he became a conference champion and all-American who placed fourth at the national meet by the time he graduated. His improvement from high school to college was really something.”
Deeter plans to continue throwing for as long as his body will let him. His main reason for throwing is to continue improving by setting personal bests and to stay in shape. He’s able to compete locally in the Portland area and in other small local communities as they provide various developmental meets where he can go and throw.
“If my right shoulder gave out then I’d start throwing with my left (so) I’ll throw as long as my body holds together,” Deeter said. “I’ve been able to compete compared to other people my age at a decent level.”
Deeter’s home life is quite simple, as he’s had the support of his wife and has lived in the same house and owned the same business for 42 years.
Some people like to run for fun; Bill Deeter likes to throw heavy weights around.
9 Responses
Bill is a great competitor that I always enjoy throwing with. I’m proud to be his friend!
Have known Bill for about 4 years now, and as fellow thrower he is quite the inspiration. I am fairly new to masters track(49), and seeing Bill throw into his 60s gives me great hope to continue for many years.
That’s an Oregon paper. Lyons is east of Salem. Bill lives in (and drives from!) Oregon.
Good catch, tb. I’ve made corrections.
I met Bill this year. A good technical thrower and obviously a strong guy. Inspirational to see these guys blasting away in their late 60’s.
Nice story! Bill is ALWAYS there encouraging us to do our best. I don’t recognize him without his hat however.
For some of us, it beats playing golf!
Nice going Bill.
It would have been nice if they could have mentioned some of the distances that Bill has been throwing each of the implements.
Read the whole article, don’t know how far the guy throws…well done!!
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