Hill, Futch showing Penn Wood proud in London

After his first two attempts in the qualifying round of men’s shot put Saturday, it looked like Darrell Hill’s stay at the IAAF World Championships in London was going to be a short one.

The Penn Wood All-Delco and Penn State grad fouled twice and was on the verge of elimination. Hill, though, saved his best for last. He unleashed a put of 21.11 meters (69 feet, ¼inch) on his final attempt to advance to Sunday’s final round along with fellow Team USA members Joe Kovacs, Ryan Crouser and Ryan Whiting. Hill’s throw was the fourth best in the qualifying round. The men’s shot put final is scheduled for 3:35 EDT Sunday afternoon.

Hill entered the competition ranked sixth in the world based on his personal best throw of 21.91 meters (71-10½) at the Rafer Johnson/ Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational at UCLA in April. Hill earned a trip to the World Championships with a fourth-place finish at the U.S. Championships in June.

Fellow Penn Wood grad Eric Futch begins his quest for a world title in the men’s 400-meter hurdles heats Monday afternoon (2:30 EDT). Futch is the top-ranked American and No. 4 in the world.

Villanova grad Bobby Curtis will compete for Team USA in the men’s marathon Sunday. He is one of six Wildcats in London. After that, next up for Villanova are Sam McEntee and Patrick Tiernan in the 5,000 Wednesday afternoon. Tiernan was 22nd in the 10,000 Friday. Both are competing for Australia. All-American Siofra Clerigh Buttner will compete for her native Ireland in the 800 Thursday afternoon. Jordy Williamsz will run the 1,500 for Australia Thursday.