ONCE AN OLYMPIAN was not enough for Andrew Evans, the Kentucky alum who competed for 2 more years after Rio before leaving the sport. Nearly 4 years gone, he came back to the ring 2 seasons ago to give it another go. Good call. He won with a round 3 toss of 218-6 (66.61).
The qualifying on Thursday was led by ’21 Olympian Reggie Jagers at 214-1 (65.52), with Evans next at 214-3 (65.31) and all the usual suspects advancing.
Sam Mattis, another ’21 Olympian, made his best bid for the team on the second throw of the final, hurling a season-best 216-9 (66.07). Turner Washington also produced a nice opening toss at 215-5 (65.66). Evans hit just 201-2 (61.32) and Joseph Brown, a former Div. II champion for Texas A&M–Commerce, was in even worse shape, with an opener of just 140-3 (42.76).
In round 2, Brown improved to 202-0 (61.58) to squeeze into the crucial 8th spot. Mattis fouled, and Evans passed four others to land in 3rd with his 213-2 (64.98).
Jagers made his best effort in round 3, reeling off a 215-8 (65.75) that helped him slide past Washington and into 3rd. Then Evans stepped up and produced his powerful 218-6 to wrest the lead from Mattis.
Two rounds later, little had changed. Evans scored a nice 216-7 (66.01) in round 5. Was the team set? Or would someone produce a last-ditch effort that could change things? Indeed, that decisive throw came from the guy hardly anyone was looking at, Brown, who moved from 8th to 3rd with his non-Ramona PR of 215-10 (65.79).
Jagers tried hard to regain his spot but ended up with a foul. Mattis fouled as well. Evans stepped into the ring one last time as the winner, hurling 212-11 (64.90).
The USATF champion in his return year of ’22, Evans says he was hampered last year by a plantar fascia rupture. Working full-time as a brewer, he says recovery time is tough to come by.
“It’s good to be back on top,” he said. “I felt like I had the potential to win today. Caught one — but it was tough. Everyone showed up today.”
Both Evans and Brown have the Olympic standard; Mattis will have to wait till after the next WA rankings are released.
MEN’S DISCUS RESULTS
FINAL (June 29)
1. Andrew Evans (unat) 218-6 (66.61)
(201-2, 213-2, 218-6, f, 216-7, 212-11) (61.32, 64.98, 66.61, f, 66.01, 64.90);
2. Sam Mattis (Nike) 216-9 (66.07)
(216-9, f, 212-8, f,…
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