“Michael elevated the standard for throws in West Virginia. Just like Randy Barnes, he’s put West Virginia on the map. In my 11 years of coaching throws, I’ve never seen a shot put travel that far with that much speed, explosion and height. It was an absolute rocket to the moon and may still be in orbit.”

Kyle Gwinn

Head Coach - Poca High School head coach

Athletic Excellence

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound senior throws specialist broke a 39-year-old state record in the shot put this past season, launching the apparatus 68 feet, six inches to eclipse the previous mark set by two-time Olympian and Atlanta Games gold medalist Randy Barnes in 1985. Lunsford’s margin of break was more than 18 inches and ranked No. 9 among prep boys nationally this spring. He also won the state shot put title at the Class AAA state meet with a throw of 65.3.75 and also took second in the discus with a 156-7 effort, leading the Scarlet Knights to the team title. He threw 64-3 or further four times this spring—a distance only 23 boys managed nationally in 2024.

Academic Achievement

Lunsford has maintained a 3.0 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete on an athletic scholarship at Ohio State University this fall.

Exemplary Character

Lunsford has volunteered locally as a youth football coach and mentor.