Missouri
Drake Relays
Cantwell Earns Third Drake Relays Shot Title
4/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
April 24, 2004
DES MOINES, Iowa - The University of Missouri track and field team participated in the final day of the rain-soaked Drake Relays on Saturday. Tiger post-collegian Christian Cantwell won his third consecutive meet title with a 67 foot, 8? inch shot put toss. Tiger volunteer coaches, Derrick Peterson and Timothy Dunne finished in third and fourth in the 800 meters.
Cantwell (Eldon, Mo.) earned his third title in as many years after tossing the shot 67-8? (20.64m). The weather was a huge factor in the competition as a steady moderate rain began to fall in the middle of warm-ups.
"The weather was definitely a factor," Cantwell said. "I felt good enough to throw five feet longer, but the conditions just wouldn't allow for it."
Fouling his first two throws, Cantwell knew he had to get a good fair toss to advance to the finals.
"Coach (Brett) Halter told me, 'Go get a good mark for this one,' and I knew I had to or not make the finals," Cantwell said.
On his third throw, Cantwell hit his mark of the day, not marking on the final three after slipping out of the ring.
"The rain affects multiple parts of your throw," Cantwell added. "You don't get the right footing you want, you can't get the right grip on the shot, and it makes it pretty difficult."
Cantwell will next throw in the Modesto Relays, May 7-8, in Modesto, Calif.
Junior transfer Conrad Woolsey (Excelsior Springs, Mo.) also did well in spite of the conditions. His best throw of 58 feet, 4? inches (17.79m) placed him sixth in the competition.
Tiger post-collegians Derrick Peterson (Atlanta, Ga.) and Timothy Dunne (Jerome, Idaho) fared well, finishing third and fourth, respectively in the special invitational 800-meter. Peterson ran across the line in 1:49.55; Dunne clocked in at 1:50.16. The conditions for the race were cool and windy with a 30 mile-per-hour gust cross-wind. Luckily, the rain had not taken a break during the race.
Peterson's next meet will be next weekend in the Dominican Republic.
Also today, Tiger senior Holly Scherder finished seventh in the women's hammer throw, and junior Ryan Hampton took 11th in the invitational mile.
Next for the Tigers is the Big 12 Championships in Norman, Okla., visit mutigers.com throughout the week for more information.
For a complete rundown of results visit mutigers.com or the meet website, drakerelays.com.
