June 23, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS--Missouri post-collegian Christian Cantwell finished third Friday in the men's shot put at the AT&T USA Track & Field Championships in Indianapolis, with a throw of 71-10 (21.89m). But, it wasn't that simple. On his fifth attempt, Cantwell launched a throw that was unofficially 75-2, but his toe clipped the top of the toeboard on the way down. Official puts a red flag up. Foul. Statistically, it terms of depth, it was one of the best shot competitions ever held in the World and Cantwell was right there with them.
Cantwell (Eldon, Mo.) was off to a good start with his official best of the day on his third attempt to take the lead entering the finals. On Adam Nelson's fifth throw, he launched what was the meet's winning toss of 72-3¾ (22.04m). Cantwell came to counter, and that's when the foul happened.
At the time the crowd went crazy over the depth of the 75-foot launch, but with a look over at the official, it wasn't to be. The red flag was up. Cantwell, the 2005 U.S. Champ, tried to counter again with the sixth toss, but wasn't able. Afterwards, the meet officials measured the foul to see what might have been.
"I threw hard and tried with everything to hold it," said Cantwell. "But, that's what happens, if it would have been fair, I would have won by a mile."
And, it would have been the longest throw the World has seen in 14 years since Randy Barnes' World record throw of 75-10¼.
"There aren't many competitions that a guy who throws 71-10 gets third place," said Cantwell.
Cantwell knows his history, because it's only happened one other time in the World, ever. Udo Beyer of East Germany was third in a meet in Tallinn, France with a throw of 72-4¾ (22.05m). And in no other time in the World's history have three from the same country in the same competition thrown over 71 feet.
Disappointment? No. Drive? You bet.
"I felt like I did everything in this competition I needed to do to win," said Cantwell. "It was a fun competition. I enjoyed it. It's okay though, I'll be back. That the thing about us U.S. shot putters, every American championship is like a World championship."
For the Rest of the Tigers ...
Post-collegian Fiona Asigbee (Walford, Iowa) positioned herself for a second-consecutive U.S. medal in the women's heptathlon. After day one, the 2005 U.S. bronze medalist scored 3,620 points, a new personal best. Out of the four events in day one, Asigbee grabbed personal bests in two. In the shot put, Asigbee topped her old best twice, adding a foot to her old mark at 42-7½ (12.99m). In the 200-meter dash, the final event of the day, Asigbee clocked 24.46, shaving time off her previous best in the event. Asigbee started the day with a near personal best run in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking 13.57. In the high jump, Asigbee leaped over the bar at 5-8¾ (1.75m).
In the men's 800 semifinals, post-collegian Derrick Peterson finished seventh in the heat and did not qualify for the final, placing 11th overall at 1:49.55. Senior Neville Miller finished 14th overall at 1:49.64.
In the women's semi, Tiger sophomore Trisa Nickoley (Tecumseh, Kan.) ran the second-fastest race of her life to place 11th amongst a much older field, clocking 2:06.50. Senior Ashley Patten was 15th overall at 2:08.75.
Sophomore Jason Morris, competing in his first U.S. Championship, threw 198-8 (60.55m) in the men's hammer throw to finish 22nd.
In the junior men's 800-meter final, freshman Blake Figgins was eighth at 1:53.59.
Television coverage of today's events and live showings of tomorrow's events will occur on ESPN2 Saturday from 5-7 p.m., central. The network will also have coverage on Sunday from 4-6 p.m., central.
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