The state’s returning Gatorade Boys Track & Field Player of the Year, the 6-foot-8, 300-pound junior throws specialist won the shot put and discus events at the Class 5 state meet this past season and his effort of 76 feet, 11.25 inches in the former set a state record and ranked No. 1 nationally among prep boys competitors this spring as well as No. 2 in boys prep history. No American prep boy has put the shot further since 1979. The 2024-25 Gatorade Missouri Football Player of the Year, Cantwell’s state-winning discus throw of 210-5 ranked No. 6 nationally. He capped his spring by winning the shot at the USATF Under-20 Championships and Nike Outdoor Nationals to earn dual All-American status.
Cantwell has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. He has made a verbal commitment to play football at the University of Miami beginning in the fall of 2026.
A regular at Nixa’s weekly Leadership Academy, a group that discusses leadership skills, Cantwell has volunteered locally at the Least of These Food Pantry, the only full-service pantry serving Christian County. He has also donated his time as a peer tutor and youth track coach.
