Nationally ranked shot-putter and Tiverton resident Jacob Cookinham, a senior at Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth, has committed to the Division I University of Kansas Track and Field program, signing a National Letter of Intent last week.

Cookinham joined the track team at Bishop Stang as a freshman, and with the encouragement of his coaches decided to join the team’s shot-putters. Since then, he has won countless titles and invitationals, become a top-ranked shot-putter, and was a National Champion.

During the spring of Jacob’s freshman year, COVID hit, training was virtual, and it was difficult for many to focus on their day-to-day training. Jacob decided to put in the time and propel his high school throwing career, learning a new technique that elevated his game. When track resumed in a modified version in the winter of his sophomore year, after a few key wins, it became clear that Cookinham would be a highly recruited shot-putter, Bishop Stang's Dennis Golden said. Before signing with Kansas, he interviewed with four other colleges and universities.

Jacob committed to Kansas on National Signing Day, and was surrounded by his family and a large crowd of friends and classmates who gathered after school. His parents, Richard and Jean Cookinham, were present along with Jacob’s sister Samantha, his grandparents, and extended family. He credited his family, teammates and friends for “helping him stay grounded” through the recruiting process.