April 20, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Redshirt-junior Joe Kovacs (Nazareth, Pa.) has been named Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week, following an outstanding weekend at the War Eagle Invitational at Auburn University, which included a pair of personal records, as well as a season best in the throwing events. The All-American impressed against stellar competition, turning in a trio of top four finishes by taking third place in both the shot put and hammer throw, and adding a fourth-place standing in the discus.
The senior started things off last Friday night, finishing third in the hammer throw, thanks to a PR effort of 201-9 (61.50), which stands fifth in the conference this year. Kovacs is also steadily moving up the Nittany Lions' all-time rankings in the event, as he now stands third overall, becoming just the third male in PSU history to break the 200-foot barrier.
Kovacs posted an outdoor personal-best toss of 62-0.50 (18.91) in the shot put - good for third overall, and second among collegiate. The redshirt junior's performance is the 2011 Big Ten leader, as well as the fifth-best effort in the country this season. Kovacs, who won the conference title in the event indoors, and teammate Blake Eaton (Allegany, N.Y.) look to have a strong hold on the conference shot standings, as Eaton stands second in the Big Ten with a mark of 60-6 (18.44). Kovacs' effort also ranks fourth in the All-Time Penn State standings.
Kovacs finished off his record-breaking weekend by turning in another lifetime-best effort - going 180-6 (55.03) in the discus to place fourth on the day. Kovacs' PR effort also ranks fourth in Penn State history, and stands second in the Big Ten on the year.
Kovacs and the Nittany Lions will be back in action this weekend, traveling to the Jesse Owens Classic at Ohio State University. For more on Nittany Lion track and field, log on to www.GoPSUsports.com.