The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorns sweep Olympic gold in shot put
08.19.2016 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Carter, Crouser set new standards in and out of ring
RIO DE JANEIRO – No nation had ever won both the men's and women's shot put at the Olympic Games until Michelle Carter and Ryan Crouser did it for Team USA this year in Rio. And to add to the rarified air of accomplishing that feat, they both are Texas Longhorns.
Yes, The University of Texas has produced the best shot putters in the world, and they both did it while setting records, chasing dreams and inspiring others.
Carter set the tone for Team USA, as the women's track and field team captain, by winning her gold on the first night of track and field competition in Rio.
Her winning toss of 20.63 meters (67-8.25) improved her own American record and gave the U.S. its first-ever Olympic gold in women's shot put. It also is just the second time an American woman has medaled in the event, with Team USA's last medal coming with bronze in 1960.
Carter's win was not a dominant showing but instead was filled with drama as she overtook two-time Olympic champion Valerie Adams of New Zealand on her sixth throw, which Adams then could not answer on the final throw of the competition. The late, come-from-behind win provided just the spark to get the Olympic Games off to a great start for Team USA.
Then, Crouser made it a Texas golden sweep on Thursday when he won the men's competition with a record of his own – an Olympic record.
Crouser dominated the field in what could be argued as one of the best series of throws in shot put history.
He posted his record distance in the fifth round of throws with a mark of 22.52 meters (73-10.75). Crouser trailed only for a few moments in the first round when teammate Joe Kovacs reached 21.78 meters to briefly hold the advantage over Crouser's 21.15m.
Then Crouser went on a tear that should long be remembered in the shot put world. He tallied 22.22 meters (72-10.75) on his second throw to take the lead and never looked back. That throw ranked Crouser 15th all-time and the 10th American in history.
An improvement to 22.26 meters in Round 3 bumped Crouser up one spot on the all-time list, then his distance on his fifth throw moved him to No. 10 on the all-time list.
In all, Crouser posted three throws over 22 meters and all six were at least 21.15m. To not have any fouls at an elite competition and have six throws of that distance is incredibly rare.
What makes the pair of Carter and Crouser special is they are more than just world-class athletes in the throwing ring. They have had great success beyond athletics.
Crouser graduated early with a bachelor's degree and the last two years has been pursuing a master's degree in finance. The extra workload, group projects and increased academic intensity required more of Crouser in the classroom than any of his other academic endeavors to that point.
He ended his collegiate career as a four-time NCAA champion but also earned CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team honors this year for his efforts in athletics and the classroom.
After a 2015 outdoor senior season that did not live up to his own expectations athletically, Crouser completed his master's program this May. With his graduate degree in hand, Crouser was motivated and refreshed mentally to chase Olympic gold and get back to his 2014 form that saw him sweep the indoor and outdoor NCAA titles.
"A lot of it has been that academic load coming off. I finished my master's this year. For the last five years I have been throwing three times a week and since this year I have been throwing six times a week," he said of his rapid improvement in 2016. "A full throwing load has made the biggest difference. And technically the higher throwing amount has solved a lot of my technique problems, really polished it."
Carter also makes an impact outside of competition where she uses her platform as the best women's shot putter in U.S. history to inspire other young women through her own passion for the sport and fashion by promoting her own line of makeup while pushing for positive body image through a sports camp that promotes self-confidence.
Carter recently told The New Yorker, "You have to understand everyone's body was built to do something. I was built to do something, and that's how I was built. I think the world is realizing we were promoting one body type and there have always been many."
Parents are seeing the positive attitude Carter brings to competition and life and have asked her to speak to their daughters about being true to yourself and chasing your dreams.
"The parents say, 'Can you talk to my daughter and say that it's O.K.? That she can have muscles?' They'll say, 'I show her pictures of you so they can know she's good at what she does but still looks like a girl. She wears dresses.' It releases people to be whoever they want to be in the sport."
Breaking records and winning gold medals in the process is just the beginning for Carter and Crouser. They have proven The University motto rings true. What happens here changes the world.
