Olympic Hammer Thrower A.G. Kruger was back in his hometown of Sheldon for a community send off to the summer games in Beijing Wednesday night. The progression of going from humble beginnings at Morningside College to become a two time Olympian has even surprised Kruger.
A.G. qualified for the 2008 team by winning the Hammer Throw competition during the Olympic Trials held earlier this summer in Eugene Oregon. Kruger owns the best throw by an American this year with a toss of 258-2. Kruger is the only U.S. Hammer Thrower to meet the Olympic standard and so will be a team of one come August.
Qualifying begins on Friday August 15th. Kruger, who went to his first Olympics in 2004 is the third Sheldon native to compete in the Olympic Games as current Hawkeye head wrestling coach Tom Brands and his twin brother Terry took their talents to the world stage as well, representing Sheldon and the United States in Olympic wrestling competition.