Delsea’s Josh Awotunde joined the 70-foot club with a massive shot put bomb of 71-1 1/2 at the USATF Golden Games Sunday.
That’s No. 6 in the world this year and No. 4 among Americans and puts the four-time South Carolina All-America squarely in the picture to make the U.S. Olympic team, which will be decided at the Olympic Trials next month in Eugene.
His throw is No. 26 in U.S. history and and No. 58 world history.
Awotunde placed second at the USATF Golden Games at Hilmer Lodge Stadium in Walnut, Calif., behind only American Darrell Hill, who threw a season-best 73-3 1/2, not far off his PR of 73-7 1/2 from a meet in 2017 Boudewijnstadion, Belgium.
Awotunde’s previous overall best was a 69-11 3/4, which he hit indoors in College Station, Texas, in 2018. His previous outdoor best was a 69-3 3/4 in Los Angeles in April of 2019. That’s No. 27 in U.S. indoor history.
Awotunde broke the New Jersey alumni record of 70-4 1/2 set by Dorian Scott of Seton Hall Prep in 2008 in Tallahassee.
He broke his own South Jersey alumni record.
Awotunde opened with a 66-10 and then improved to 68-1 3/4 on his second throw and then PR’d at 69-10 3/4 on his third throw.
He threw 64-11 1/4 and 68-8 3/4 on his fourth and fifth throws before the 71-footer on his final attempt.
He averaged 68-3 1/4 on his six legal throws.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 