American Record: Randy Barnes, 75-10.25
2007 U.S. Champion: Reese Hoffa, 70-5.25
2004 Olympic Trials Champion: Adam Nelson, 71-0
Top 5 Seed Marks
1.) Reese Hoffa, 73-7
2.) Christian Cantwell, 72-0.5
3.) Ryan Whiting, 71-3.5
4.) Adam Nelson, 70-1.75
5.) Russ Winger, 69-10.25
The winner of the U.S. men’s shot put competition is likely to leave Eugene as the favorite to win gold in Beijing. Reese Hoffa and Adam Nelson went 1-2 at the 2007 World Championships and Christian Cantwell and Hoffa went 1-2 at the 2008 World Indoor Championships.
Among them, they have five world and Olympic gold medals, plus seven silver medals.
Those three are the favorites, but there are a handful of others who could sneak in to claim a top-three spot.
Dan Taylor, seeded sixth this year, was second at last year’s national championships and Noah Bryant, formerly of USC, also went to the World Championships in Osaka.
Four collegians have the potential to be a factor, as well.
Arizona State sophomore Ryan Whiting threw over 71 feet indoors, Auburn’s Cory Martin has proven to be in top form as well, in defeating Whiting at the NCAA Championships, and Idaho’s Russ Winger and Arizona’s Zack Lloyd have both cracked the 69-foot club this year.