Canoga Park resident Conor McCullough finished third in the men’s hammer throw at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Track & Field in Eugene, Oregon, but unlike other third-place finishers, isn’t guaranteed of a spot in the Olympics.
McCullough’s throw of 243 feet, four inches was short of the Olympic qualifying standard Wednesday and he’ll have to wait to see if he receives an invitation to compete in the Olympics.
“I was definitely hoping to nail the 77 (-meter Olympic qualifying standard) here, said McCullough, a USC and Chaminade High alumnus. “I’m definitely in shape to do it, but I didn’t pull it out. I got tight and didn’t do it. It’s how it goes.”
None of the throwers met the Olympic qualifying standard. Rudy Winkler of Cornell won with a throw of 251-10, while Kibwe Johnson, the defending Olympic Trials champion who placed ninth in London Olympics, was second with a throw of 246-5.
—City News Service