LAKEWOOD — That bandage on Reese Douglas’ throwing arm wasn’t for show. But the medal she won in the 4A shot put sure will be.

Douglas sprained her right elbow three weeks ago throwing discus, but remained unfazed Thursday at Jeffco Stadium to win the shot put title with a distance of 40 feet, 10 inches at the Colorado High School State Track Championships.

“It started as a hyperextension,” Douglas said. “I threw on it more and more and then I wasn’t very careful with it because I forgot about it. It slowly evolved into a sprained elbow.”

Douglas said the pain “only bothered me slightly” while throwing in the state meet’s first event and she made that clear immediately.

On Douglas’ first throw she reached her winning mark, which served as a new personal record by two inches, and the Rangers senior was the lone competitor to reach 40 feet. Pueblo Central’s Maliyah Sandoval, who finished second, threw 37-5.75.

“I was able to break some shot put and discus school records this year plus some weightlifting records,” Douglas said. “That was big for my confidence and for my athletic ability. That showed that I could do this and proved that I’m strong enough to do this.”

Douglas finished third in shot as a junior and said this year was “sweet redemption” to earn what she’s yearned for since freshman year. Her next shot at a title is Saturday for the 4A discus finals. Douglas is seeded first at 141-8 and is the only 4A girls competitor over 140 feet.

“This means the world to me but this isn’t just me,” Douglas said. “This is my parents and God. It’s not just me and I didn’t accomplish this on my own. There will be a lot of prayers and pushing through the pain to get (a discus title.) Once I get through that then I’ll work on healing.”