July 1, 2016
EUGENE, Ore. - One the opening day of competition at the 2016 U.S. Track & Field Olympic trials, three Nittany Lions qualified for the quarterfinals in the 800-meters while two other Nittany Lions earned their ticket to the Rio Olympics in the men's shot put.
Joe Kovacs and Darrell Hill will represent U.S. Track & Field in the men's shot put after recording second and third-place finishes, respectively.
Kovacs, who missed the podium with a fourth-place finish in the 2012 Olympic Trials with a best throw of 21.08m (69'-2"), secured his spot on the 2016 squad with a best throw of 21.95m (72'-0.25").
The 2015 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) world champion in the event will make his first trip to the Olympics currently holding the world lead with a season best mark of 22.13m (72'-7.25").
Joining Kovacs in the men's shot put is Penn State alum Darrell Hill.
Hill, who finished second at the 2015 NCAA Championships, will make his Olympic debut in the event after a third-place finish Friday afternoon with a best mark of 21.63m (70'-11.75") - a new lifetime best.
Kovacs and Hill become the second and third Olympians in the event joining C.J. Hunter who made back-to-back appearances in the men's shot put at the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Also in action were former Nittany Lions Casimir Loxsom and Brannon Kidder along with current Nittany Lion Isaiah Harris.
Brannon Kidder, who recently turned pro signing a contract with Brooks, had the quickest time of the day amongst the trio with his time of 1:46.22 to earn the auto-Q through to the semifinals in heat two finishing third behind Boris Berian of New Balance (1:46.03) and Erik Sowinski of Nike (1:46.17).
The following heat featured Harris and Loxsom who paired up to finish 1-2 in times of 1:47.60 and 1:47.76, respectively.
The top three in each heat along with the next four-fastest advanced to the semifinals of the 800-meters that are slated to begin tomorrow at 2 p.m. PT.
For more on Nittany Lion track & field, log onto www.GoPSUsÂports.com or follow the team on Twitter @PennStateTFXC.