Whiting earns bid to first Olympic Games in shot put

June 25, 2012

U.S. Track and Field Trials Results

Official List of 2012 Sun Devil Olympians (as of June 24, 2012)  

Desiree Davila (marathon/USA)
Kelsey Campbell (wrestling/USA)
Alison Williamson (archery/Great Britain)
Amy LePeilbet (soccer/USA)
Riley McCormick (diving/Canada)
Micky Benedetti (diving/Italy) 
Rowie Webster (water polo/Australia)
Amy Hastings (track and field/USA) 
Ryan Whiting (track and field/USA)

Arizona State All-Time Olympians
Arizona State All-Time Track and Field Olympians

The Arizona State University added its ninth Olympian of the 2012 campaign as Sun Devil track and field alumnus Ryan Whiting punched his ticket in the shot put at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.

Whiting took second in the finals on Sunday at Hayward Field with a mark of 21.66m (71-00.75) to earn his first-ever Olympic qualifying spot.  Whiting will join American champion Reese Hoffa and long-time great Christian Cantwell to represent the Unite States at the London Games.

Current Sun Devil junior and defending NCAA outdoor champion Jordan Clarke took eighth overall with a best throw on the day of 19.55m (64-01.75).

Whiting was a six-time NCAA champion during his years at Arizona State, five of them coming in shot put competitions.  He was the 2012 world indoor champion earlier this year in Istanbul, Turkey.  Whiting was ranked fourth in the United States entering the weekend, so his inclusion on the squad was a minor upset.

With his inclusion, Whiting became the first ASU Olympian in the shot put in history.  Whiting still holds the ASU school record in the shot put and, between he and Clarke, has helped ASU to win eight of the last 10 NCAA indoor and outdoor shot put titles. 

Also in action on Sunday was Anna Jelmini in the final of the women’s discus.  Jelmini, who just finished her sophomore campaign, was ninth overall with a throw of 55.94m (183-6).

Former Sun Devil NCAA champion April Kubishta no-heighted in the women’s pole vault and did not earn a place. 

The U.S. Trials will continue over the course of the next week with several current and former Sun Devils still set to compete.