6/22/08

COLUMBIA, Mo. When University of Missouri track coach Rick McGuire considers shot putter Christian Cantwell's recovery from his injury-induced fizzle at the 2004 U.S. Olympic track and field trials, he invokes nothing less than Elisabeth Kubler-Ross' model, "On Death and Dying."

"Without trying to be overly dramatic, it helps put it in context," said McGuire, who has a doctorate in sports psychology.

Cantwell, a Mizzou product from Eldon, Mo., was ranked No. 1 in the world in 2004 and had been portrayed as larger than life, including an advertisement depicting him throwing the shot over a coliseum.