Belmont's Evan McDaniel Gets Second Chance at Shot Put Stardom

By Rick Eymer

Once upon a time, there was a high school athlete who competed in the discus throw and shot put but then went on to college, graduating from the University of Nevada with a biology degree.

One day he was throwing the discus at the College of San Mateo, helping a friend develop his skills.

Along came a wise old man who saw the potential in the athlete. Upon learning the young man had attended college without competing in any sport, the wise old man waved his magic wand and gave the athlete two more years to show off his skills.

The young man, given the chance, became the top-ranked shot putter in all the nation among community college athletes. 

The clock strikes midnight on his athletic career, however, this weekend. He has one final chance to compete. 

This story already has a happy ending though, no matter what happens over the next few days.

Belmont resident Evan McDaniel has enjoyed every second of the previous two years. He had no intention of competing again after leaving high school. That was eight years ago.

If this all sounds like a fairy tale, well, in many ways it is. The way McDaniel became the nation’s leading shot putter (58-4) involved a lot of luck and chance.

McDaniel left Reno, not because men’s college track and field doesn’t exist, but because of a friend who scored a job at DreamWorks in Redwood City. 

McDaniel, who was working at a 24 Hour Fitness Center in San Mateo, figured there was more opportunity in California and joined his friend almost as a whim.

McDaniel, who is a certified strength and conditioning trainer, became working at a 24 Hour Fitness in Redwood City, and has since become one of the facilities’ top personal trainers.

One day, Andrew de la Cruz, a friend from De Anza who competed in the decathlon, sought McDaniel’s advice.

“I had absolutely no intention of doing anything expect helping a buddy,” McDaniel said. “I told him he sucked at throwing and we were going to got to Aragon to throw but he said the track at CSM was much better. That’s when I ran into coach Joe.”

That would be College of San Mateo track and field coach Joe Mangan, who was more interested in seeing him throw the discus safely that day.

The more the two talked, the more Mangan realized what had just stumbled into his arms.

“I asked him why he wasn’t competing and he said because he sucked,” Mangan said. “I told him he still had two years of eligibility, even if he did graduate. He was interested and I’m glad it worked out.”

When McDaniel left high school he was 6-2 and 175 pounds (“with clothes on”). These days he’s checking in at 258 pounds and with years of weight training giving him a solid foundation. 

McDaniel realized he chanced upon a golden opportunity.

“I didn’t think I was good throwing,” he said. “I remember picking up an 18-pound shot put and thinking ‘there is no way I can throw this.’ I was skinny. I ran cross country, did the high jump, long jump and triple jump.”

He’s good enough to set a goal of 60 feet for the shot and 170 feet for the discus. He’s also eligible to compete in the hammer throw.

CSM weights coach Mike Lewis has worked with Olympians and is generally considered one of the top weight coaches anywhere. What did Lewis mean to McDaniel?

“Everything,” McDaniel said. “If not for him I’d still be doing nothing. He’s an amazing coach and an awesome man to have in my life. He’s been such a positive influence. Any adjustment he suggested who become immediately beneficial. He knows throws every which way.”

When his competitive career comes to a close after this weekend, he hopes to return to CSM as an assistant coach. So this is not the end, but really just a new beginning.

State championship competition on Friday begins at 9:30 a.m. with the men’s  decathlon 100 meters. There are two track finals (men’s and women’s 10,000) and eight field finals scheduled.

McDaniel opens competition in the shot put at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday. The event begins at 9 a.m.