MU's Cantwell comes in second in shot put

Christian Cantwell of the United States reacts as he competes in the final of the men's shot put during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Cantwell came away with a silver medal.   ¦  Associated Press

Years of training were on the line when MU graduate Christian Cantwell stepped into the shot put ring for his final throw in the medal round Friday night in Beijing. If he wanted to bring home a medal to Columbia and his hometown of Eldon, Cantwell needed to perform now. Sitting in fifth place before his final throw, Cantwell heaved the shot 69 feet, 2 inches to earn himself the silver medal.

"This is all for them, really,” Cantwell told the Kansas City Star, refering to people in Eldon.

Tomasz Majewski of Poland won gold with a throw of 70 feet, 6 inches.

Cantwell showed a lot of emotion after the throw, holding both hands up in the air.

Cantwell is the first MU athlete since 1992 to claim a medal at the Olympics and the first MU individual medalist since 1960, when track athlete Dick Cochran earned bronze in the discus.

After qualifying for the finals on his second throw Friday morning in Beijing, Cantwell and his coach Brett Halter had planned to go back to the Olympic Village for some rest and relaxation.

"He's spot on," Halter had said after the qualifying round. "He's feeling really good."