June 11, 2011
DES MOINES, Iowa - Redshirt-junior Joe Kovacs (Nazareth, Pa.), and sophomore Casimir Loxsom (New Haven, Conn.) captured All-America finishes, via a third-place finish in the shot put, and a fourth-place standing in the 800-meters, Friday at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Drake Stadium. Kovacs turned in his second-career All-America finish in the effort, while Loxsom, who also broke the Penn State record during the competition, takes home his first top-eight trophy. Also competing was senior Blake Eaton (Allegany, N.Y.) closed out his Nittany Lion career on a high note, placing ninth in the shot put.
"We end day three with some outstanding performances from our men's team," said Director and Head Coach of Track and Field Beth Alford-Sullivan. "We got on the board, and end the day with 11 points, which puts us in a top 15 standing and just a tremendous effect at a competition of this caliber."
With 14 of 21 events completed, the Nittany Lions are currently tied for 14th place with programs from Washington and Kansas State.
Kovacs, who earned the second third-place finish of his career, was the picture of poise under pressure, coming out to launch his best attempt of the day following a one-hour rain delay. After taking one attempt in the prelim, the field was sent indoors due to a lightning delay. When the competition resumed, Kovacs took to the ring in a driving rain, but held is composure, turning in a personal-outdoor best toss of 62-6.50 (19.06) - the fourth-best throw in Nittany Lion history - which would hold up for third place in the competition. Kovacs becomes the eighth Nittany Lion to earn All-America status in the outdoor shot put, and ties teammate Eaton for the second-best finish in school history.
Taking two attempts prior to the rain delay, Eaton was also cool under fire, recording an effort of 60-9.25 (18.52) on his third and final preliminary attempt to earn a spot in the nine-man final. Eaton's attempt would warrant ninth-place honors, which qualifies for Second Team All-America status.
"A great rally from Blake Eaton on his final attempt in the prelim," said Sullivan of the effort in the shot put. "He came out and held his composure, and put himself in contention to score some points and that's something he should really be proud of. Joe Kovacs brought his A-game today and it was great to see him back in the hunt at the NCAA Championships, and matching his bronze medal from the 2010 Indoor Championships. Those two have been a great core for our program and have been a big factor in our program's success over the past four years."
Loxsom's competition was also a nail biter, as the sophomore moved to the front from the gun and held on for fourth-place finish, throughout a furious finish down the homestretch. Loxsom crossed in 1:45.31, improving his own personal best by well over a second, and bettering Randy Moore's Penn State record 1:45.96, which has stood since 1985. Virginia's Robby Andrews won the event, thanks to a blazing finishing kick in 1:44.71, to nose UC-Irvine's Charles Jock, who finished in 1:44.75. Oregon's Elijah Greer slipped into third, running 1:45.06. The race was also notable on the world's stage, as the top four finishers all bettered the IAAF "World A" standard. The race will instantly grab a place in NCAA history, as Jock, Greer, and Loxsom, now hold the fastest marks in NCAA history for places two, three, and four in the men's 800.
"I couldn't be prouder of Cas Loxsom on both a new school record, and an unbelievable NCAA finish," said Sullivan. "The record and the finish are both a huge reward for a gutsy and tenacious 800-meter run. The 800 has turned into one of the premiere events at the NCAA Championships, and to have an athlete represent at such a high level is really exciting for our program."
"I'm excited to see what the Nittany Lions can piece together tomorrow with the women's 4x400 and Hanif Johnson in the triple jump," concluded Sullivan."
The Nittany Lions have two events at the NCAA Outdoor Championships remaining, including Hanif Johnson (Harrisburg, Pa.) in the triple jump at 11:05 a.m., CDT, and the women's 4x400-meter relay at 1:40 p.m., CDT. For more on Nittany Lion track and field, log on to www.GoPSUsports.com.