Aug. 3, 2012
Track and Field Coverage at NBCOlympics.com
LONDON - Nittany Lion volunteer assistant coach Ryan Whiting placed ninth overall in the Olympic men's shot put final, Friday evening at Olympic Stadium. It was a full day of competition for Whiting, who qualified through to the final during rounds earlier this morning.
Whiting held his own against the world's best athletes in the event, recording a throw of 67-8.75 (20.64) on his third attempt in finals - just five centimeters shy of an additional three throws.
Whiting was one of three American in the final, including eventual bronze-medalist Reese Hoffa and fourth-place finisher Christian Cantwell. Poland's Tomasz Majewski took gold-medal honors, thanks to a toss of 71-10 (21.89).
Whiting, who was among 12 competitors in the medal round, saved his best throw for last in the prelim on Friday morning, launching an effort of 68-2.25 (20.78), which bettered the automatic qualifying standard of 67-9 (20.65).
Also competing on Friday morning was former Nittany Lion Shana Cox of Great Britain. Cox - the 2008 NCAA Champion in the 400- and 4x400-meter relay - will also automatically advance to the next run after running 52.01 to finish third in her preliminary heat of the 400. She will step on to the track again on Saturday, with the semi-final round set for 3:05 p.m., EDT.
Taking to the track for the first time tomorrow will be 2010 graduate Bridget Franek in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Preliminaries are slated to begin at 6:35 a.m., EDT.
For updates on Cox, Franek, and other Penn State Olympians, follow @PennStateTFXC on Twitter. For live coverage of the Olympic track and field program, log on to www.NBCOlympics.com. Coverage is free to most cable subscribers.