Saenz finishes fourth at Pan American Games, yet to qualify for Olympics

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Rio Grande City graduate Stephen Saenz on Tuesday finished fourth in the shot put at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara. His best throw of 19.54 meters was almost two meters behind the United States’ Dylan Armstrong, who won gold with a toss of 21.30.

More importantly for Saenz, who is competing for Mexico, he is still short of the Olympic standard of 20 meters. He has until next summer to hit that mark and qualify for the London 2012 Games.

Saenz won two state championships at RGC and is currently throwing for Auburn University.