2017 USATF Championships Men’s Throws Guide
The US Championships kick off on Thursday and a change in venue from Eugene to Sacramento means more sun and less rain. Temperatures are expected to reach over 100 degrees, meaning the weather may be as hot as the action. With two Americans chasing the world record in the shot put and close competitions for the World Championships team in every event, it should be an exciting weekend of throwing. Below we break down each men’s event. Check back tomorrow for a look at the women’s action.
More Information
- Official Meet Homepage
- Meet Schedule
- 2017 US Performance Lists (including indoors and outdoors)
- Status of Entries
- Track and Fields News Predictions (June 14th)
Men’s Shot Put
- Favorite: Ryan Crouser, Joe Kovacs
- Defending Champion: Ryan Crouser
- Other Contenders: Darrell Hill
- Schedule: Sunday, June 25th, 11:55am PST
The shot put is traditionally one of America’s strongest events. Somehow, even after winning two medals at the Olympics, the event is even stronger this year despite the retirement of legends Reese Hoffa, Christian Cantwell and Adam Nelson. Olympic champion Ryan Crouser is still just 24 years old, but has broken 22 meters in four competitions this year. His worst meet is still 21.79 meters, which will surely be good enough to make the World Championships team. Joe Kovacs has gone even further this year and set the world lead back in May but lost recently head-to-head with Crouser at the Prefontaine Classic. Watch for the two of them to push each other to a new level in Sacramento. Darrell Hill, who snuck on the Olympic team last season, has proved that was not a fluke and improved his best by another foot this year. As Joe Kovacs is the defending world champion, he is guaranteed a spot on Team USA and a fourth thrower will be invited onto Team USA. This is where things get interesting. Ryan Whiting appears to be returning to form just in time, but a contingent of young throwers will be chasing him for that final spot.
| 2017 US Shot Put Top 10 | |||
| 22.57 | 74-¾ | Joe Kovacs (Unattached) | Tucson Elite I |
| 22.43 | 73-7¼ | Ryan Crouser (Nike) | Pre Classic |
| 21.91 | 71-10¾ | Darrell Hill (Nike) | Rafer-JJK |
| 21.11 | 69-3¼ | Ryan Whiting (Nike) | Kingston |
| 20.93 | 68-8 | Jon Jones (Nike) | Chula Vista II |
| 20.91 | 68-7¼ | Josh Freeman (Unattached) | Kansas Relays |
| 20.73 | 68-¼ | Kurt Roberts (Nike) | Baskin Invite |
| 20.69 | 67-10¾ | Curtis Jensen (Unattached) | Ironwood Classic |
| 20.67 | 67-9¾ | Chuk Enekwechi (Unattached) | Baie-Mahault |
| 20.47 | 67-2 | Jaren Kern (Southern Illinois) | Music City Challenge |
Men’s Discus Throw
- Favorite: Andrew Evans, Mason Finley
- Defending Champion: Mason Finley
- Other Contenders: Rodney Brown, Sam Mattis, Jared Schuurmans
- Schedule: Saturday, June 24th, 12:40pm PST
A few years ago Americans had trouble getting the World Championship qualifying standard. But this year already six throwers have surpassed the mark, which will add some intrigue to a close competition at the US Championships. The two throwers leading the way this year are Mason Finley and Andrew Evans. Finley has not faced off against the top Americans so far this year, but is the only guy to compete in Europe already and had a strong finish in Holland. Evans, meanwhile, has dominated the domestic windy circuit. His sole loss to an American came recently to Rodney Brown at the Ironwood Classic. Brown will be among a group of throwers chasing down Finley and Evans in a fight for make Team USA.
| 2017 US Discus Top 10 | |||
| 66.61 | 218-6 | Andrew Evans (Nike) | Chula Vista |
| 65.61 | 215-3 | Sam Mattis (Garage Strength) | Triton Invite |
| 65.39 | 214-6 | Rodney Brown (Nike) | Ironwood Classic |
| 65.34 | 214-4 | Mason Finley (Unattached) | Lawrence |
| 65.13 | 213-8 | Brian Williams (Mississippi) | SEC Champs |
| 65.12 | 213-8 | Jared Schuurmans (Nike) | Portland |
| 63.54 | 208-5 | Macklin Tudor (Cincinnati) | Penn Relays |
| 62.51 | 205-1 | Reginald Jagers (Kent State) | NCAA Champs |
| 62.42 | 204-9 | Tavis Bailey (Nike) | Ironwood Classic |
| 62.28 | 204-4 | Jason Harrell (Arete) | Tucson Elite I |
Men’s Hammer Throw
- Favorites: Kibwe Johnson
- Defending Champion: Rudy Winkler
- Other Contenders: Rudy Winkler, Sean Donnelly
- Schedule: Thursday, June 22nd, 2:45pm PST
With the retirement of AG Kruger, the approaching retirement of Kibwe Johnson and the absence of Olympian Conor McCullough this season, the men’s hammer throw landscape has started to change. But a familiar name is still on top in the meantime as Johnson will look to claim his fifth US title and make one last World Championship team this week. McCullough also plans to make his outdoor season debut at the meet. Rudy Winkler recently captured the NCAA title, but has been well off his best from last summer. Don’t be deceived though: he entered last year’s Olympic Trials is similar form and ended up the champion. Sean Donnelly has also shown added consistency this year to produce the second best mark of the season. As it stands, no American has reached the World Championship qualifying standard of 76 meters. However athletes can nevertheless qualify if they find themselves ranked in the world’s top 32 at the end of the qualifying period. Johnson, Donnelly, and Winkler are all currently in the top 32. However they will likely need an improvement to secure their spot in London.
| 2017 US Hammer Top 10 | |||
| 74.32 | 243-10 | Kibwe Johnson (Nike) | Tucson Elite II |
| 74.26 | 243-8 | Sean Donnelly (Ironwood TC) | Tucson Elite II |
| 74.12 | 243-2 | Rudy Winkler (Cornell) | NCAA Champs |
| 73.66 | 241-8 | Alexander Young (SE Louisiana) | NCAA Champs |
| 73.05 | 241-8 | Colin Dunbar (Unattached) | Fränkisch-Crumbach |
| 71.98 | 236-2 | Andy Fryman (Unattached) | High Point |
| 71.85 | 235-8 | Darien Thornton (Unattached) | Allendale |
| 71.72 | 245-4 | Johnnie Jackson (LSU) | NCAA Champs |
| 70.01 | 229-8 | Tom Postema (Unattached) | Deleware |
| 69.87 | 229-2 | Jordan Crayon (Ashland) | Ashland |
Men’s Javelin Throw
- Favorite: Riley Dolezal
- Defending Champion: Cyrus Hostetler
- Other Contenders: Cyrus Hostetler, Tim Van Liew, Michael Shuey
- Schedule: Saturday, June 24th, 11:30am PST
As with hammer, no javelin throwers have met the IAAF World Championships qualifying standard this season. Last year four throwers broke 80 meters, but this year no one has thrown the mark, let alone the even tougher 83 meter standard. With wins at the Ironwood Classic and Tucson Elite, Riley Dolezal is the favorite entering the competition. Tim VanLiew was injured earlier in the year but came back two weeks ago with a strong 77 meter throw to throw his name in the mix. Defending champion Cyrus Hostetler has not competed since April, but looks to improve his season’s best and contend for the title. Michael Shuey also recently placed as the top American at the NCAA Championships and will be fighting with a close field to get on the podium.
| 2017 US Javelin Top 10 | |||
| 79.36 | 260-4 | Riley Dolezal (Nike) | Ironwood Classic |
| 77.22 | 253-4 | Tim VanLiew (Ironwood TC) | Collegeville |
| 76.67 | 251-6 | Chris Mirabelli (Rutgers) | Penn Relays |
| 76.42 | 250-9 | Michael Shuey (Penn State) | NCAA Champs |
| 76.39 | 250-7 | Brent Lagace (Unattached) | Chula Vista II |
| 75.56 | 247-11 | Nicholas Howe (Unattached) | Chula Vista II |
| 75.25 | 246-10 | Cyrus Hostetler (Unattached) | Grenada Invite |
| 74.38 | 244-0 | Carson Fuller (Washington) | Pac 12 Champs |
| 74.32 | 241-10 | McLean Lipschutz (Alabama) | SEC Champs |
| 74.26 | 243-8 | Andrew Fahringer (Unattached) | Collegeville |
