June 23, 2012
U.S. Olympic Trials - Day Two Results
TEMPE - The past and present of Arizona State University track and field throwers are moving on to the shot put finals at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials as alumnus Ryan Whiting and junior Jordan Clarke lived to fight another day in Eugene, Ore.
Whiting - a six-time NCAA Champion during his time at Arizona State - will enter tomorrow's final ranked third overall after the preliminary round with his throw of 19.94m (65-05.00). The top three athletes at the Olympic Trials who have met the Olympic `A' standard will advance to the Olympic Games in London.
Clarke, fresh off defending his NCAA Outdoor shot put title, enters tomorrow's finals in eighth overall after his prelim mark of 19.14m (62-09.25).
The competition was held in unfavorable conditions at Hayward Field as rain poured down on the competitors through much, if not all, of the competition. Several premiere throwers struggled - Clarke, himself, well below his typical form - and one notable omission from tomorrow's final is two-time Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson, who did not have a sufficient mark to advance.
Clarke and Whiting have combined to win eight of the last 10 NCAA indoor and outdoor shot put titles have won four straight outdoor crowns (two a piece).
In another action, alumnus Charonda Williams did not advance out of the 100-metet semifinals as she finished 16th overall in a time of 11.41.
Sophomore high jumper Bryan McBride finished in a tie for 17th overall and did not advance to the finals in that event either.
Sophomore sprinter Ryan Milus was slated to run in the prelims of the 100-meter dash but ended up not starting the race and did not compete.
Action at the U.S. Trials will continue tomorrow with several Sun Devils in action. Whiting and Clarke will take part in the shot put final at 3:30 p.m. PST while sophomore Anna Jelmini will be in action the in discus final as well. Alumnus April Kubishta will take part in the pole vault competition, which was delayed due to weather on Friday.