EUGENE, Ore. -- The Arizona State track and field program added a ninth athlete to the London Olympics rosters, as alumnus Ryan Whiting punched his ticket in the shot put at the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Ore., on Sunday.
Whiting took second in the finals with a mark of 21.66 meters (71-00.75) to earn his first-ever Olympic qualifying spot. He will join American champion Reese Hoffa and Christian Cantwell in representing the United States at the London Games.
Current ASU junior and defending NCAA outdoor champion Jordan Clarke took eighth overall with a best throw on the day of 19.55 meters (64-01.75).
Whiting was a six-time NCAA champion in his ASU career, with five of those titles coming in the shot put. He also was the 2012 world indoor champion earlier this year in Istanbul, Turkey, and was ranked fourth in the U.S. entering the weekend. Whiting still holds the school record in the shot put.
With his inclusion, Whiting is the first ASU Olympian in the shot put.
Also in action on Sunday was Anna Jelmini in the final of the women’s discus. Jelmini, who just finished her sophomore campaign, finished ninth overall with a throw of 55.94 meters (183-6).
Former NCAA champion and ASU star April Kubishta no-heighted in the women’s pole vault and did not earn a place.
The U.S. Olympic trials continue over the next week, with the following ASU athletes and alumni already having earned a trip to London:
Desiree Davila (marathon, U.S.)
Kelsey Campbell (wrestling, U.S.)
Alison Williamson (archery, Great Britain)
Amy LePeilbet (soccer, U.S.)
Riley McCormick (diving, Canada)
Micky Benedetti (diving, Italy)
Rowie Webster (water polo, Australia)
Amy Hastings (track and field, U.S.)
Ryan Whiting (track and field, U.S.)
