Christian Cantwell winning his 2006 debut at the Kansas Relays (© Kirbly Lee)
Christian Cantwell still has a ways to go to get into top shape, but the shot putter didn’t complain about his domestic outdoor season opener at the 80th Kansas Relays on Friday (20).
Cantwell won with a 20.88m throw, an effort coming after taking six weeks off from because of injuries and cold weather at his training camp in Columbia, Missouri. It was his first domestic competition after winning the USA Track & Field Indoor title on 25 February.
“All things considered, this is pretty good,” Cantwell said. “I was just hoping to throw 20 metres."
The 2004 World Indoor Champion said he hadn’t reached that mark in practice yet. He had only six throwing sessions, four of them this week, after resuming workouts three weeks ago. Cold and rainy weather had further slowed his preparation.
“There were days when it was 32 degrees (0 C.) and raining,” Cantwell said. “If it was 50 or 60 degrees (10 or 15 C), we could get along. Under 40 (4 C.) is pretty hard to do a whole lot."
Consistent Series
Cantwell had little difficulty topping Friday’s field, one comprised predominantly by collegians. All four of his legal throws surpassed the runner-up effort of Sheldon Battle (19.47m).
“I don’t get up for the level of competition. I get up for throwing,” Cantwell said.
The venue at the Kansas Relays, a grass field outside of Memorial Stadium bordered by two-lane residential streets was a far cry from what Cantwell hopes to be in the World Championships in Oaska, Japan in August.
Cantwell’s coach, Brett Halter, videotaped the competition from just outside the right sector line. Fans watched the competition from lawn chairs occasionally interrupted by the sounds of cars and buses driving by.
“Hey, it might not be an arena but to me it’s pretty nice,” Cantwell quipped. “I’m from the Midwest. It doesn’t matter to me."
Cantwell opened at 19.88m, followed by his winning throw of 20.88 on the second. He had efforts of 20.73 and 20.62 on his third and fourth with intentional fouls on the final two throws.
Cantwell, who won the Shot Put at the 2006 Kansas Relays at 21.43m, said he felt fatigued as the competition wore on in the 13-thrower field on the windy afternoon. Between throws, Cantwell roamed around the field wearing a white hooded sweatshirt.
“Once I start getting more throws and better weather, I think things should go pretty well," said Cantwell, who will compete in the Drake Relays next weekend.
Jackson and Felix Headline Gold Zone
Reigning World Champions Bershawn Jackson and Allyson Felix will headline the featured “Gold Zone” to conclude the four-day meeting today.
Jackson will compete in the 400m Hurdles, while Felix will run a leg in the 4 x 100m Relay that may include training partners Joanna Hayes, Muna Lee and Michelle Perry. Hayes, the 2004 Olympic 100m Hurdles Gold Medallist, is also scheduled to run in her specialty.
The pole vault will feature 2000 Olympic champion Nick Hysong, American record holder Jeff Hartwig and two-time defending champion Jacob Pauli.
Kirby Lee for the IAAF
