Cantwell, Asigbee Nearly Earn Bids to Japan 27. June 07

INDIANAPOLIS - Clearing hurdles are not usually associated with shot putting, but for Tiger post-collegian Christian Cantwell, three major speed bumps may have contributed to him not qualifying for the IAAF World Championships in Japan. Cantwell had to overcome recent health problems, the weather, and a questionable call in placing fifth in the VISA men's shot put Saturday at the USA Track & Field Championships in Indianapolis.
Cantwell's best mark of the day of 65 feet, 11½ inches (20.10m) kept the 2005 U.S. Outdoor Champ an inch-and-a half from the final qualifying spot into the upcoming World Championships. Adam Nelson, who placed third in the meet at 67-4¾, had an automatic bid into the World Championships as result of being defending World Champion, allowing for the three more Americans to enter the fray.

No. 1-ranked Reese Hoffa won the meet with a 70-5¼ (21.47m) best. Dan Taylor, formally of Ohio State, was second at 68-10¾. And, NCAA Champ, Noah Bryant of USC, finished just ahead of Cantwell in fourth with a 66-1 (20.14m) on his fifth attempt.

A steady rain impacted the first two rounds of competition for the flight that Cantwell was placed. On his first attempt, Cantwell slipped and the shot fell from his hand for his first foul. His longest legal throw of the day was his second where he sat in third after the round.

While the rain basically stopped, things started to get a little tricky on Cantwell's third attempt. Cantwell unleashed a throw that was near the 70-foot line, and in retrospect, would have placed him in the top three of the competition, but the red flag from the official was raised to represent a foul. Cantwell's celebration quickly turned to confusion on what the infraction had occurred.

"The official said that I had scrapped my foot on the toe board in my spin," said Cantwell afterwards. "I know it wasn't the case and that's why I presented an immediate protest."



Under USATF rules, a protest can be raised after any attempt and the mark in question will be measured in case the meet referee or jury of appeals overturns the initial ruling in replacing the foul call. In addition, rules have changed in the past few years to allow for video evidence to be used in the appeals process.

The videos, from up to four difference sources, including the NBC cameras, proved inconclusive. In all cases the view of the toe board and Cantwell's feet were obstructed. The view of the toe board on the official meet video was blocked by an official's hat.

"Just like in all sports, officials are going to make mistakes," said Cantwell. "Maybe something like this will also help change some of the procedural ways they go about reviewing calls and what angles and the steady cameras they use. Still, it goes back to the fact that I should have taken care of business myself and not let an overturning of a call make the difference, but it was something I had to pursue."

Cantwell had difficulty on his final three throws, fouling on the fourth and sixth attempts and mustering a throw of around 64-6 on his fifth.

"I think I was actually throwing pretty well early despite the rain," Cantwell continued. "But it seemed I was just a little bit more tired on my final three since I hadn't been conditioning like normal in the last several days."

Unfortunately for Cantwell, between the weather, an official's call, and his health, a "Perfect Storm" of circumstances came together to keep the second-ranked shot putter in the World out of the upcoming IAAF World Championships.

Because of a streak of severe back spasms that occurred late last week, Cantwell underwent a set of procedures, including an epidural on Monday, that readied him enough to compete this weekend.

"I've just had a horrible last two weeks at home," said Cantwell. "I was fortunate just to have the opportunity to be here and compete. Had this meet been last Saturday, there would have been no way I could have thrown. It's amazing that I couldn't even walk or get out of bed Monday, yet I'm here to compete a few days later."

Cantwell defined the last few days leading to Saturday as "not a fun thing." On Wednesday, Cantwell took his first practice throws in a week, allowing himself just five or six before calling it a day. Workouts were still very light on Friday and Saturday.

"You know, stuff like this happens, and the season will continue. I will go to the Pan-Am Games in Brazil in about a month and still keep an eye on the big goal of being in Beijing next year."

Cantwell flies to the Czech Republic on Sunday to continue his season with a meet next week.

Asigbee Takes Fourth in Women's Heptathlon
Post-collegian Fiona Asigbee was finished fourth in the women's heptathlon with a score of 5,908 points.

Asigbee started the day wall despite the rain, coming within an inch of her personal best in the long jump with a leap of 20-3¼ (6.17m). The event placed her within only 20 points of second-place Diana Pickler of Washington State heading into the sixth event, the javelin.

Difficulty in the javelin took Asigbee out of contention for the top three as Asigbee marked a best of 119-9 (36.51m), nearly 13 feet from her personal best. Pickler and Gigi Johnson, who finished third overall, both had marks over 130 feet to spread the gap to over 100 points.

Asigbee kept stride with Johnson and defeated Pickler by a second in the final event, the 800 meters, but it was not enough to overcome the gap.

Hyleas Fountain, formally of Georgia, won with a score of 6,090. Pickler was second at 6,029, and Johnson was third at 6,002.

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