June 28, 2008
EUGENE, Ore. -
University of Missouri post-collegian Christian Cantwell (Eldon, Mo.) became Mizzou's latest Olympian on Saturday afternoon in Eugene, Ore., finishing second in the men's shot put at the USATF Olympic Team Trials. With only the top three spots grabbing Olympic tickets, Cantwell entered the final in third place, but slipped to fourth after the fourth of six rounds. On his fifth toss, Cantwell reclaimed the second place spot and, on his sixth, he threw his best of the day, 71 feet, 2¾ inches (21.71m). Cantwell becomes Missouri's 23rd track & field Olympian and the first for the shot put event.
Cantwell opened the competition with a 68-3¾ toss (20.78m) and was in a tie with Adam Nelson for second after the first round. Cantwell slipped to a tie for third after a 68-7¼ (20.91m) toss by Reese Hoffa in the second round. No improvement for Cantwell in the third, but a tiebreaker that would put him in third alone going into the finals.
In the fourth round, Nelson took one 68-6½ (20.89m) to take second and place Cantwell back in the vaunted fourth spot. In the fifth round, Cantwell took the lead for a bit with a 69-8¾ (21.24m) mark, but was passed by Hoffa in the next throw with his 71-11¾ (21.94m). Cantwell eclipsed the 70-foot mark on his final attempt after knowing his fate for Beijing and Hoffa extended his winning mark to 72-6¼ (22.10m) on the event's final toss.
"You know, this is the right team to have qualified for Beijing," Cantwell said afterwards. "We do have a legit chance for a sweep, so that's exciting. I'm (upset) that I didn't throw as far as I was capable today, but it might be a blessing in disguise. Traditionally the trials winner doesn't do to well in the games. As soon as I knew (Dan) Taylor wasn't going to pass me in the final round, I did feel a little bit of relief, but I wanted to take the lead and win. I was really close to really pushing it out there on my last one and I'm (upset) that I didn't. But, Dan and I are good friends and I felt for him ... I know how it feels. I'd be lying if I wasn't nervous after three rounds ... I mean, I was getting my (butt) kicked.
"Probably eight of the people out there today could have done something to upset the form chart. (Adam) Nelson got really lucky; usually that mark wouldn't get you through. He's fortunate to be going to his third Olympics.
"Today was just another day at the office because the real show starts in six weeks. That's really all I am thinking about because I have nine more throws. Now the fun begins because all today was a plane ticket.
"The pressure is only what you do to yourself. I really don't care what everyone else says because everything is internalized within yourself. Today felt pretty good though.
"This meet is only a qualifier, it's only the beginning. I don't plan to go to Beijing to get second."
Also today was the final three events of the women's heptathlon. Former Tiger Fiona Asigbee finished sixth with 5,789 points, only 20 points from fifth and Liz Roehrig.
Asigbee lept 19-8 (5.99m) in the long jump, threw 120-6 (36.74m) in the javelin and ran 2:25.64 in the 800.
Hyleas Fountain had an outstanding meet, scoring 6,667 points to become the second best American ever in the event. Jacquelyn Johnson who just completed her senior season at Arizona State took second at 6,347. Diana Pickler took the ever-important third spot from GiGi Johnson by just 10 points in scoring 6,257.
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