Bookout's bid for an Olympic spot falls short
BY Staff Reports
Monday, June 25, 2012
6/25/12 at 5:31 AM
Kevin Bookout's bid for the 2012 Olympics fell short Sunday when he placed 10th in the shot put at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.
Bookout, a former track and basketball standout at Oklahoma, threw three times on the final day of the shot put competition. His best effort was 62 feet, 6 1/2 inches on his first attempt. He threw 61-5 3/4 and 61-5 1/2 on his final two tries, not good enough to advance into the eight-man final round.
Reese Hoffa, Ryan Whiting and 2008 Olympics silver medalist Christian Cantwell wound up making the team with distances of 72-2 1/4, 71-0 3/4 and 69-9 3/4 respectively.
Bookout advanced into the final day of competition by finishing 11th in the preliminaries Saturday with a throw of 61-9.
He has had Olympic aspirations since his time at OU. He was a three-time All-American in the shot put, and the 2007 indoor and outdoor Big 12 Conference champion in the event.
Bookout doubled as a four-year starter on the Sooners basketball team, averaging 10 points and 6 rebounds for his career.
OU senior pole vaulter Alexandra Acker also made it to Sunday's final round. She failed to clear the opening height, however, and did not advance.
Original Print Headline: Bookout falls short in bid for Olympics
Associated Images:
Former OU track and basketball standout Kevin Bookout practices the shot put on Thursday before the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore. MARCIO JOSE SAHCHEZ / AP
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