DOHA, Qatar - Led by Joe Kovacs world championship in the shot put, four Nittany Lions represented the USA at the IAAF World Championships. Other Penn State track and field alums that represented the United States included: Brannon Kidder (800m), Darrell Hill (shot put) and Michael Shuey (javelin).
Kovacs not only brought home a world championship, but also set a championship record with his personal-best throw of 22.91m. Kovacs also won the world championship in 2015 and a silver medal at the Rio Olympics in the shot put. The 2019 world championship shot put competition is being regarded as the best in the history of the event. As a Nittany Lion, Kovacs put together a tremendous career. He was a three-time first team All-American, won two Big Ten championships and was the 2012 Big Ten Athlete of the Year.
Joining Kovacs in the shot put event was Darrell Hill. Hill's top throw traveled 21.65m and gave Hill a fifth-place finish. Hill followed in Kovacs' footsteps during his time in Happy Valley. Hill still holds the record in the indoor shot put at Penn State. Hill was a two-time All-American, three-time Big Ten champion and the 2014 Big Ten Athlete of the Year.
Along with Kovacs and Hill, Michael Shuey was the third thrower to represent the USA. Shuey's top throw flew 80.53m in the javelin event as Shuey finished 11th in qualifying. Shuey was a first team All-American in 2017 and won a pair of Big Ten championships in 2014 and 2015 in the javelin.
Brannon Kidder was the final Nittany Lion to compete at the IAAF World Championships. Kidder advanced to the semifinals in the 800m race. Kidder ran 1:45.62 in the semifinal race. Kidder put together a long list of accomplishments as a Nittany Lion. He was a seven-time All-American, nine-time Big Ten champion, 2014 Mid-Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year and 2013 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
For full results of the IAAF World Championships, click here.
