Madison Warhawk ranks top in national shot-put, signs with UCLA

Among the world class athletes in San Diego, Madison High’s Datun Ogundeji’s incredible power in the shot-put makes him a special and feature attraction. After turning down schools nationwide, UCLA has officially signed a mountain of a man. There’s only one thing his future Bruins will have to learn: how to say his name.

Such is common in the world of Datun Ogundeji. But the Madison Warhawk senior usually lets his ball do the talking. He’s currently the top-ranking participant in the shot-put in the country. His two throws of more than 65 feet are first and third in the United States.

“I may be leading it now, but it’s only by one inch,” Ogundeji said. “It makes me want to throw a 68 or a 69 to be the top in the nation by a good margin.”

His current margin is great enough to attract attention from traditional powers – such as Iowa and Oklahoma.

“Finally being able to sign with them after a year of being recruited by them is amazing,” Ogundeji said.

Ogundeji also starred on Madison’s highly-acclaimed defensive line. That means UCLA football coach Jim Mora should expect a knock at his door.

“I’m thinking about walking on; I’m trying to see if I can play at the next level.”

And if that next level doesn’t work out, there’s another level – taking place in Tokyo in 2020.