By GARNER ROBERTS
Special Contributor
EUGENE, Ore. -- In weather more appropriate for ducks,
Nick Jones of Abilene Christian University failed to negotiate a slick throwing ring in the shot put Saturday in the 2012 U.S. Olympic trials at historic Hayward Field on the campus of University of Oregon.
Jones, competing in his first of two events here, fouled on two of his three throws in the qualifying round of the shot put and finished 22nd among 24 throwers with a best of only 55-7.5. It was only the second time this spring Jones was under 60 feet (58-8 at the Texas Relays).
The top 12 from Saturday's qualifying advanced to the shot put final Sunday at 3:30 p.m. PDT.
There were only two 20-meter throws Saturday. Reese Hoffa, reigning trials champion and former IAAF World Championships gold medalist, led with 69-7.5 (21.22 meters), and Christian Cantwell, runner-up to Hoffa at the 2008 trials and another former IAAF winner, was closest at 66-5.5 (20.25). Among the other casualties Saturday were Adam Nelson, trials winner in 2000 and 2004 and two-time Olympic Games silver medalist, and Derrick Vicars of Findlay, the 2012 NCAA Division II champion.
Jones, runner-up at the recent Division II meet to Vicars, has a personal best of 64-2.5 (19.57). He is ranked "I felt real good warming up," Jones said.
"I was feeling confident with a good base and balance. Once it started raining, it was hard to stay ahead of the shot with my hips. I guess I wasn't confident enough to hold back."
A three-time Lone Star Conference champion in the shot put, Jones added, "It would have taken me a little time to get used to it. We don't throw in the rain in Texas."
Rain started to fall as the competition began in 63-degree weather. There were two flights throwing simultaneously of 12 athletes each. Jones fouled on his first attempt, threw 55-7.5 and fouled again on his third effort.
The 12th and final qualifier advanced to the final with 18.77 (61-7). Among the other qualifiers was former Division II champion Kurt Roberts of Ashland.
After an off day Sunday for Jones, he will begin his discus throw competition here Monday at 3:30 p.m. PDT. The four-time NCAA Division II champion is ranked 10th on the 2012 U.S. list in the discus and third on the 2012 collegiate list with a best of 203-3 (61.95 meters).
He will continue training Sunday here at Lane Community College -- weather permitting.
"I hope it doesn't rain," Jones said of Monday's discus qualifying. "The grip is a little more important in the discus than it is in the shot. I'm still looking forward to that. I have a good chance to make the final (scheduled Thursday)."
Jones is one of four current and former Wildcats competing here. Also in action Saturday were sprinter Mickey Grimes, who ran 10.36 in his heat of the quarterfinals, to advance to Sunday's semifinals, and triple jumper Stephanie Warren, who passed on each of her three attempts in the triple jump during the afternoon rain.
