“Shot-put. It's got a beat to it. You need to use a beat to know when to release it.”

— Amber Dunham, Independence High School senior, Independence, Kan.

“Hurdles. There's a lot of drama, especially in the 100 meter. There's a little more danger in it. Jumping over objects at a full sprint is exciting. One mistake and it's all over.”

— Steve Wenger, health care administrator, St. Joseph, Mo.

“Javelin. My brother is competing in it. I like to watch them fly.”

— Jessica Edwards, nurse, Kansas City, Mo.

“I'd have to say shot-put. You get to see a lot more aggression. You get to see who's really here to throw.”

— Daaron Lenhart, teacher/coach, Manhattan