SACRAMENTO — Joe Kovacs topped a strong field by winning the men's shot put on the opening day of the 2014 USA Track and Field Championships Wednesday. Kovacs unleashed a personal best throw of 22.03 meters to beat out runner-up Kurtis Roberts, who finished with a toss of 21.47 meters on the grounds of the California State Capitol building. “It is nice to start seeing the results,” said Kovacs, who failed to make the USA's 2012 London Games team. “I see 22 metres which I been waiting to see for awhile.” Three-time US Olympian Reese Hoffa finished third with a throw of 20.78. Organizers had the novel idea this year of beginning the national outdoor athletics championships in the downtown area before the event shifts to Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State University for four days of competition. Holding the shot put just steps from the Capitol building proved to be a big hit with the competitors and the crowd who filled two grandstands. “This shows how entertaining the shot put can be. The crowd got into it. I hope they do it again,” Kovacs said. Kovacs winning throw came on his fifth attempt. His sixth and final throw sailed 21.17 meters. Kovacs said he would travel next week to the IAAF Diamond League meet in Paris before the Grand Prix circuit heads to Glasgow the following week. Michelle Carter defended her American title by winning the women's shot put, uncorking a throw of 19.45 meters. Carter has now captured three of the last four national championships. Felisha Johnson claimed second with a final throw of 19.18 meters, while third went to Tia Brooks at 18.83 meters. Among the athletes that will headline the Hornet Stadium competition are former US 100 and 200 meters champ Walter Dix, reigning world champ in the 400 meters LaShawn Merritt and five-time American 5,000 meters champion Bernard Lagat. Merritt ran the fifth fastest 400-meter time (43.74 seconds) in history in August at the world championships in Russia. The 2008 Olympic gold medalist has six of the eight fastest times in the world in 2014. The 39-year-old Lagat holds seven US records and won medals in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics while running for his native Kenya. — Reuters
