Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/703041
ROAD TO RIO Kovacs fin- ished second at the U.S. Olympic Trials last month at Oregon. Photo by Dillon Vibes | VARSITY VIEWS J oe Kovacs advanced another step closer to his goal July 1 when he quali5ed for the 2016 Summer Olympics, 5nishing second in the shot put with a throw of 72 feet, ¼ inches at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. While making the team is an accomplishment itself, he is not 5n- ished. "If you make the U.S. team, you have to expect to not just be happy to walk in the Opening Ceremonies," he said. "You've got to be hoping to 5nd a plan to be on that podium." Kovacs could 5nd himself there. A 2012 Penn State graduate, he has the longest throw in the world this year and is the defending world outdoor champion, as well as a two-time U.S. champ. Even though he came in second behind Ryan Crouser (72-6½) at the Olympic Trials, Kovacs will be among the gold medal fa- vorites when the Summer Games begin in August. "The target is on my back, and that's where I want it," he said. "I'd rather be the guy with the target than chasing some- thing, because at the end of the day it's something you've earned." Kovacs will be joined in Rio de Janeiro by his training partners Crouser and 2015 Penn State alum Darrell Hill (70-11¾). Kovacs finished fourth at the Olympic Trials in 2012, setting a personal best with a throw of 69-2 shortly after wrap- ping up his college career. He finished two centimeters from third place, falling just short of a berth in the London Games. But if there was any disappointment, it was fleeting, as Nike offered to sponsor