TRACK AND FIELD : Pentecost’s Best Shots Earn Him a Trip to Chile

Matt Pentecost can spend Labor Day weekend in Westwood or South America.

A trip south of the equator would appear an easy choice for the recent Loyola High graduate. But there are other factors for Pentecost to consider after winning the shotput in the U.S. Junior National Championships to claim one of two spots for the Pan American Junior championships in Santiago, Chile, Sept. 1-3.

The meet conflicts with football training camp at UCLA, where the 6-foot-4, 280-pound Pentecost has earned a scholarship as a lineman.

“Everything is up in the air right now,” said Pentecost, who hopes to make a decision this week. “It’s an honor and I’d like to go to the Pan American games but I’m expected to be at football. It could be worse. I enjoy both football and the shotput. I can’t go wrong either way.”

Competing with a 16-pound shot for the first time in the age 19-and-under under competition at Mt. San Antonio College June 23, Pentecost won with a heave of 54-6 to outdistance runner-up Roger Roesler of Texas (53-4). Four of Pentecost’s six throws with the 16-pound shot--four pounds heavier than the high school implement--were over 50 feet.

The State shotput champion, Pentecost, though, does not plan to compete in any more meets this summer with the possible exception of the Pan American Games to concentrate on football.

“I felt really good with the college ball,” Pentecost said. “ “My main objective was to get the feel in competition. I might throw the shot around a couple times this summer but I’m going to hit the weights to be ready for football.”

Fremont High junior Clarence Scott placed second in the long jump with a leap of 24-8 and earned a trip to Santiago. Dominick Millner, a freshman at the University of Florida, won at 25-3 1/4.