Nixa’s Jackson Cantwell joined his father, Christian, as a national champion by winning the shot put at the Nike U20 Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Oregon, this week.
Cantwell outclassed the competition, with his winning throw of 73-5 1/4 whipping the rest of the 35-man field by more than five feet. Of his six throws, five would have allowed him to finish first.
Cantwell recorded throws, in order, of 69-8 3/4, 67-3 1/4, 70-9, 72-7, 72-3 and 73-5 1/4.
The meet record for the shot put is 76-0, set by Jordan Geist, of Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, in 2017.
Brandon Schirkck, of Friendwood, Texas, was second with a 68-1.
Benjamin Smith, of Hortonville, Wisconsin, entered the meet seeded first with a 75-1. He placed third with 67-9.
Nixa’s Hayden Mays did not make the trip to Oregon. His PR of 56-5 3/4 would have been good enough for 23rd.
Cantwell finished fifth in the discus with a 190-10. His best throw was his last attempt. He had two fouls.
Smith had four fouls, but won with a 204-10.
Bryce Ruland, of Waterford, Wisconsin, who was seeded first with a 210-10, placed second with 202-9.
Mays PR of 184-8 1/4 would have been good enough for ninth.
Christian Cantwell was a seven-time national shot put champion while at Mizzou.
