Ian Waltz, a 2004 Olympian and the American leader this season, had the three farthest throws of the men’s discus finals Sunday, highlighted by a fourth-rounder of 216 feet, 1 inch. He followed that with a 209-11 in the fifth round. He also hit 211-9 in the second round.
Waltz was the only thrower to meet the Olympic “A” standard (211-7) in the finals.
Runner-up Michael Robertson, the 2007 national champion, reached 205-7. Casey Malone took third at 205-7, which he landed in both the first and fourth rounds.
Doug Reynolds, the throws coach at the University of Kentucky, opened his day with a season-best 205-6 and finished fourth. Competing in his fourth Olympic Trials, Reynolds also placed fourth in 2000, fifth in 2004. He said Sunday’s competition was his last.
Right behind Reynolds was one of his star pupils, UK senior-to-be Rashaud Scott. Fresh off an NCAA championship, Scott’s only legal throw of the day came in the second round, measuring a season-best 203-4. He also reached 203-4 last winter, indoors at UK’s Nutter Field House.
A field of 12 was trimmed to eight after three throws. University of Louisville alum James Dennis grabbed the eighth and final spot, but tweaked his groin in the process. He was unable to continue, finishing eighth at 198-7.
Among those missing the final three rounds were three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic medalist John Godina (12th, 187-11) and 2004 Trials champion Jarred Rome (11th, 193-5).
Odysseus had Sirens to tempt him.
For me, the Olympics always call. Beijing 2008 marks my 10th Olympics as a writer and, no, I can’t get enough. 
