A recent Air Force Academy graduate claimed his first U.S. national title in the discus last weekend, capping a competitive season with a commanding performance at the Toyota USATF Outdoor and Para Championships in New York.

After a disappointing finish in the hammer throw two days earlier, Texas Tanner's patience was rewarded with his first U.S. national title in the discus at the Toyota USATF Outdoor and Para Championships this past weekend in New York.

Tanner earned gold with a throw of 65.46 meters in his fourth attempt on Saturday, nearly one and a half meters further than second place. He had entered finals seeded third. The field included defending national champion Reggie Jagers III and American record holder Sam Mattis.

"I wanted to redeem myself and show others I can throw far," said Tanner, a seven-time NCAA qualifier. "I also wanted to go out and have fun. My goal was to have fun and throw far and see what happens."

"One thing the academy does well is it teaches you how to overcome challenges," Tanner said. "I've been faced with a lot of challenges over the last two years, and mental maturity and passion to never give up pushed me to where I am today."

After his hammer throw performance and placing fourth at the NCAA national championships in June, winning the national title was the perfect start to Tanner's professional track career.

Upon graduation, Tanner joined the Air Force World Class Athlete Program, which allows Air Force elite athletes to train full-time for the upcoming Olympic Games. So far, the ability to solely focus on training has been a "blessing" for Tanner. "I want to push myself to the pinnacle of the sport," he said. "I decided to capitalize on the opportunity, focus on that until I can reach my peak, and then go do my job in the Air Force."

Tanner competed at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in hammer throw, where he placed 18th, and will enter the next cycle in 2028 sporting that experience. "I didn't think I would come this far athletically," Tanner said. "In 2024, I was talking with a buddy about how cool it would be to go to the Olympics, and the next thing I know I'm competing at the trials. That's when I realized I could be an Olympian. It's been my goal since."

The USATF championship was his last competition of a long season that began in December, and in a month he will return to training with Air Force coach Kyle Lillie with eyes on next year's World Athletics Championships team.