UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. –Nittany Lion volunteer assistant coach Ryan Whiting placed ninth overall in the Olympic men’s shot put final on Aug. 3 at Olympic Stadium. It was a full day of competition for Whiting, who qualified through to the final during rounds earlier in the 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).
