Butler native B.J. Ketchem competes in the weight for height division at this year's World Masters Highland Games in Iceland. Ketchem won a gold medal in the event.

B.J. Ketchem still has his third-grade report card hung above his master's degree on a wall in his office.

Ketchem, a Butler native, was a poor student growing up. However, guidance and hard work propelled him from D's to a gold medal at this year's World Masters Highlands Games Championships in Iceland.

“(The report card) is a reminder that things can go in the right direction,” Ketchem said.

Ketchem, 40, is an assistant principal at an elementary school in Alexandria, Va., and competes around the world in various Highlands Games events, which feature throwing competitions.

Ketchem enjoyed coaching, but stopped after he got married. He found a way to continue his passion for throwing with the Highlands Games.

The games feature a variety of events that measure strength through throwing competition.

These include throwing 22-pound hammers, heavy stones, and the caber, which resembles a telephone pole and is between 15-to-22-feet long.

Weight is not only thrown for length, but also for height.

Ketchem's hard work has paid off. He took fifth overall in the lightweight class, and won a gold medal in the weight for height division at this year's World Masters in Iceland.

A full story appears in the Butler Eagle.