New Jersey throwing sensations Jessica Woodard and Josh Awotunde each advanced to the finals of the shot put during the qualification round at Friday's World Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Woodard, who graduated from Cherokee High in 2013, came up with a clutch throw of 62-7 on her final attempt to make the 12 woman final, which is slated for Saturday at 9:25 p.m. Woodard's throw was tied for the sixth best among the 29 competitors. Woodard owns a personal best 63-7.75, which she threw to place third at the U.S. Championships in June, which places her No. 14 in U.S. history and No. 1 all-time among NJ athletes.
Meanwhile, Awotunde, a 2013 graduate of Delsea High, threw 69-5.75 on his first of his three attempts, the fifth best mark among the 30 competitors, to advance to the men's shot put final, scheduled for Sunday at 9:27 p.m. Awotunde has a PR of 72-2, which is a a NJ record.