Cantwell is one of the favorites this season in the shot put (MU sports info) |
With five All-American certificates to his credit, Missouri\'s Christian Cantwell should be one of the big favorites in 2003 for the NCAA shot put title. The Big 12 record holder in the event enters his senior campaign as the one to beat in many minds around the country.
Cantwell did not have the best showing at the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships at LSU in which he placed 5th with only one fair attempt in the finals as the rest of his attempts were all fouls. "Many people don\'t know that going into the NCAA meet last year I was seriously injured," said Cantwell, who could only manage to throw 63\'07.50" at the meet. His personal best and Big 12 record of 70\'04.50" was one of the top five marks in the world last year.
"With that said I was still very disappointed because I felt I was the best thrower there, but was unable to perform up to my abilities. As far as this next year, I am going into every meet with the same attitude I did last year and that is to just do as good as I can on that day and don\'t worry about anyone besides myself."
One of the more humble athletes in the NCAA today, Cantwell is aware of his abilities but it takes a lot more than pure talent to excel in the shot put.
"The throwing events are very frustrating at times so just don\'t give up," he said after discussing what kind of advice he would give to a young athlete giving the event a try for the first time. "If you work hard and pay attention to the details then you will see improvement, but be aware sometimes the improvement doesn\'t mean distance either."
One of Cantwell\'s most memorable events took place last season at the Drake Relays. On a cold and rainy weekend, Cantwell came out a champion in the shot put. On his third toss in the invitational event, he hit a automatic-qualifying mark of 69\'01.25" which would be the best of the day men\'s invitational event. The Drake Relays championship is Cantwell\'s first.
"I believe my personal best performance ever was at the Drake relays this past year. For people who weren\'t there it was about 30 degrees and raining. With the ring covered in grass and water I managed my second best, to that point, throw ever in my career."
Cantwell also beat out one of the world\'s leaders, Kevin Toth, who placed second in the event. Given the harsh conditions on the day, it was one of the best performances of 2002 in the NCAA. Given some of his success with the competion of some of the best throwers around the nation, Cantwell knows where he stands as well.
"I don\'t really like to compare myself with others. The USA is the best in the shot put hands down. I would like to believe that I have a smart part in that. Obviously John Godina, Adam Nelson, and Kevin Toth see themselves on that World Championship team and they are going to work hard to get there. I will work to try to make that team and hopefully I will. I believe that if I continue to improve and work hard everyday then on the trials day I will have earned a spot on the World Championship team."