Former Mizzou track and field star Christian Cantwell won the shot put event at the U.S. outdoor track and field championships in Carson, California on Sunday with a throw of 71 feet. The finish was more than enough to earn him a spot in the world championships in Helsinki, Finland next month.

Cantwell, who hails from Eldon, Missouri, was ranked number one in the world a year ago, but failed to qualify for the Olympic team.

At MU, Cantwell was a six-time All-American and won three Big 12 Championships.

Joining Cantwell in Helsinki will be fellow former Tiger Fiona Asigbee, who finished third in the women’s heptathlon.

Miles Smith, a sophomore at Southeast Missouri St., advanced to the finals of the 400-meters, but finished sixth and failed to qualify for the world championships. However, Smith was named to the 4×400 meter relay team that will represtent the U.S. in Helsinki.

Another MU grad will be an alternate. Derrick Peterson, who represented the U.S. at the Athens Olympics finished fourth in the 800-meters and will be an alternate.

Derrick Peterson, who represented the U.S. in the Athens Olympics and attended MU, will be a reserve for at the world championships after finishing fourth