Oregon TC: -5Jun04- Cantwell SP: 22.54m

PORTLAND, Oregon, June 5 (AFP) - American shot putterChristian Cantwell, 23, posted the best performance in the world this yearSaturday with a throw of 22.54m at the Oregon Track Classic.
With the 22.54m, on his first attempt of thecompetition, Cantwell improved on his own previous bestof 22.35m on May 22 at Carson, California.
Saturday’s throw put Cantwell at eighth on theall-time list headed by compatriot Randy Barnes, who setthe world record of 23.12m on May 20 1990 in Westwood,California.
Cantwell dominated Saturday’s competition, with hisfirst three throws exceeding 22m (22.54, 22.16, 22.33),to head compatriots Adam Nelson (21.68) and John Godina(21.67).
But the winner said his best result was technically nodifferent from his other efforts.
It was probably the good crowd,'' Cantwell said.Technically, everything was just the same.’’
John Capel won the 100 meters in 10.07 seconds runninginto a 1.1m/second headwind with fellow American DarvisPatton second in 10.18, edging compatriot Mickey Grimeswho had the same time.
The hunger is back and it's starting early,'' Capelsaid. Debbie Ferguson of Bahamas won the 200m in 22.84 withAmerican Crystal Cox second in 23.00 and Allyson Felixthird in 23.12. There was a 1.3m tailwind. There was a lot of wind on the first 100. Once I goton the second 100 I got going,’’ Ferguson said. ``I wasvery pleased. Last year I was injured. I’m just happy tobe back.’’
Kenyan men grabbed two distance crowns with LabanRotich winning the 1,500m in 3:35.56 by .37 overCanada’s Kevin Sullivan and Luke Kipkosgei taking the 3,000m in 7:42.65 to lead a Kenyan podium sweep.
Jamaican men doubled at 400m with Brandon Simpsonwinning the 400m in 45.29 seconds and Ian Weaklyclaiming the 400m hurdles in 49.07.