Christian Cantwell described his winning attempt in the men's shot put with unprintable language usually heard from competitors who come up short. He wasn't happy with a toss of 70 feet 7 inches. Despite a 30-hour travel odyssey from Columbia, Mo., to Boston, Cantwell hoped to break the world indoor record (74-3) at yesterday's US Indoor Track & Field Championships, having come close in previous meets.

But with a shot put measuring 125 millimeters in diameter, Cantwell felt uncomfortable on every throw at the Reggie Lewis Center. The shot was smaller than his preferred size (128mm), and it slipped out of his grip, painfully bending back his index and pinky fingers upon release. He passed on his final throw because of the pain and discomfort, and displayed a row of swollen knuckles on his right hand after the competition.

After falling short of his own expectations, Cantwell saved his best shot for second-place finisher Reese Hoffa (70 feet 2 1/2 inches). Last week, Cantwell asked Hoffa, the reigning world indoor and outdoor champion, to bring his 128mm indoor shot to nationals. Hoffa declined, believing it was not his job to help a competitor.

"For the most part Reese is a pretty good guy, but he pulled a quick one on me this weekend and I'm a little upset with him," said Cantwell. "So, I'm glad he made it, but, in the end, I would have rather had [third-place finisher] Adam [Nelson] make the team for the world championships. Reese has a 128 indoor and he wouldn't bring it.