Aug 16, 2013
MOSCOW, Russia - Nittany Lion volunteer assistant coach Ryan Whiting took silver medal honors in the shot put, Friday at the IAAF World Championships at Luzhniki Stadium. Also faring well in Moscow were former Nittany Lion standouts Aleesha Barber and Shana Cox, who both advanced in the rounds of their respective events.
Whiting posted a toss of 70-9.25 (21.57) on his first attempt, which would hold up for second-place overall, behind eventual champion David Storl of Germany. Storl recorded a toss of 71-3.50 (21.73) on his fourth effort to top the field. Reese Hoffa was the next-best American, finishing fourth overall.
Whiting's silver-medal finish was one of two podium performances for the United States on the day, joining the men's 4x400-meter relay, which captured gold-medal honors. All told, the United States has won 16 medals in these championships - five gold, nine silver and two bronze - and leads the point standings 194-127 over Russia. Director and Head Coach of Nittany Lion Track and Field/Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan is currently in Moscow as the Head Women's Coach for Team USA.
Cox ran as a member of the Great Britain squad in the qualifying round of the women's 4x400-meter relay. Cox and the Great Britain foursome won their preliminary heat in 3:25.18, which stands as the third-fastest performance in qualifying. The British team follows Russia (3:23.51), and the United States (3:25.18) entering Saturday's event final.
Barber was also in fine form, advancing through the preliminary round of the women's 100-meter hurdles. Barber clocked 13.33 on her way to a fourth-place finish in her heat, earning one of the four automatic-qualifying positions. American Brianna Rollins, who won Barber's heat, was the top qualifier of the day, going 12.55 in the opening round. Both the semi-final and final rounds of the short hurdles are set to be contested on Saturday.
The IAAF World Championships conclude on Sunday, August 18.
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