UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Following an NCAA-leading performance at the Penn Relays, senior Joe Kovacs (Nazareth, Pa.) has been named Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week for the third time this season. Kovacs bested a national-class shot put field at Penn last week, thanks to a career-outdoor best performance of 65-5 (19.94), which also ties the longstanding Penn State record in the event.
Following a slow start to the day, Kovacs stood seventh overall going into the final, but proceeded to launch three throws over 63-feet on his final attempts, including an outdoor personal-best toss of 65-5 (19.94), which ties the long-standing Penn State record in the event. Kovacs now shares the all-time Nittany Lion lead with former NCAA Champion C.J. Hunter, whose record performance has stood since 1990. In fact, Kovacs is the first Nittany Lion to win the "championship" shot at Penn since Hunter won back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990.
Kovacs was one of a trio of Happy Valley shot putters to win major event titles last weekend, with 2011 graduate Blake Eaton winning the Olympic Development section at Penn Relays, and volunteer assistant coach Ryan Whiting taking top honors at the Drake Relays.
Kovacs and the Nittany Lions are back in action this weekend, hosting the Jim Thorpe Invitational on Friday at Nittany Lion Track. Action is slated to begin at 3 p.m.