European hammer throw champion Libor Charfreitag of Slovakia won the weight throw against a stellar field at the Findlay Open on Friday. Charfreitag, who ranks second all-time in the event and is one of just three throwers to break 25 meters, nearly broke the barrier again with a best throw of 24.88m. The mark was his best throw since 2008 and the sixth best result of his career. Despite the good result, Charfreitag only had two legal throws and his first effort was his best. In talking with EME News after the competition, Charfreitag said "It is nice, but I expected more. I spent too much energy in warm-up throws and managed to have only two valid throws (plus 24.39). Earlier in the week I got sore throat. I will have one more indoor competition next weekend."

The competition featured the best field assembled so far this season. Former University of Tennessee All-American Garland Porter continued his impressive indoor season with a personal best throw of 24.40m and a second place finish. Porter has now improved his personal best by one meter since last season. His throw also takes the national lead and makes him a favorite for the U.S. national title later in the month. Third place went to A.G. Kruger who threw 23.08m for third place. Kruger, a former national champion, was making a late season debut and was well under his personal best.

After the top three, former Oregon All-American Brian Richotte led the next wave of throwers with a personal best of 21.75m. Richotte, who also works full-time and coaches part-time at the University of Detroit Mercy, is making a come back to the sport after a few years off. All six of his throws were over his old personal best. Mike Jeffrey of Division 2 Ashland University was the top collegiate thrower with a sixth place finish of 21.13m.

Men Weight Throw Elite
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  Fieldhouse: * 81-06.75  2/15/2008   Libor Charfreitag, Mizuno                
    Name                    Year School                  Finals           
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  1 Libor Charfreitag            Mizuno                  24.88m   81-07.50 
      24.88m  24.39m  FOUL  PASS  FOUL  PASS
  2 Garland Porter               Unattached              24.40m   80-00.75 
      22.22m  23.92m  24.40m  22.97m  23.19m  24.00m
  3 A.G. Krueger                 Nike                    23.01m   75-06.00 
      FOUL  22.72m  23.01m  22.15m  FOUL  22.66m
  4 Brian Richotte               Unattached              21.75m   71-04.25 
      21.39m  21.45m  21.40m  21.26m  21.57m  21.75m
  5 Jerome Bortoluzzi            Unattached              21.22m   69-07.50 
      21.05m  20.57m  21.22m  20.07m  20.35m  FOUL
  6 Mike Jeffery              SR Ashland                 21.13m   69-04.00 
      FOUL  19.43m  20.62m  21.13m  FOUL  FOUL
  7 Ryan Loughney             JR Ashland                 21.03m   69-00.00 
      20.69m  FOUL  20.93m  21.03m  FOUL  21.03m
  8 Anthony Agrusa            SR Michigan Sta            20.30m   66-07.25 
      FOUL  19.84m  20.04m  19.94m  20.30m  FOUL
  9 Steve Bartholomew            Unattached              20.15m   66-01.50 
      19.83m  FOUL  18.92m  19.74m  20.15m  FOUL
 10 Garrett Grey              SO Ashland                 19.60m   64-03.75 
      FOUL  19.15m  19.60m  19.05m  19.57m  FOUL