Link – http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/062012aaa.html

 

Nittany Lions Take On NationÂ’s Best at U.S. Olympic Trials

First session set to get underway on Thursday

 

EUGENE, Ore.: June 20, 2012 – Members of the Nittany Lion track and field squad will showcase their talents on the nationÂ’s grandest stage this week, competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials, set for June 22 through July 1, at Historic Hayward Field, on the campus of the University of Oregon.   A quartet of current Nittany Lions will compete in the Blue and White during the first session of competition, including sophomore Rebekka Simko (Mentor, Ohio), and junior Casimir Loxsom (New Haven, Conn.) in the 800-meters, sophomore Brady Gehret (Altoona, Pa.) in the 400-meters, and senior Joe Kovacs (Nazareth, Pa.) in the menÂ’s shot put.

 

The Nittany Lions wonÂ’t be the only athletes competing with Penn State ties, as several alumni as well as members of the Nittany Lion coaching staff are set to compete for Olympic bids, including volunteer assistant Ryan Whiting, who ranks as one of the top throwers in the world in the menÂ’s shot, and 2010 graduate Bridget Franek, who will vie to make her first Olympic team following World Championship appearances in 2009 and 2011.

 

Another contingent of Nittany Lions will be in action during the second week of action in Eugene, which is slated for June 28 – July 1.

 

About the U.S. Olympic Trials Â…

When: June 22 – July 1

Where: Hayward Field (Eugene, Ore.)

Meet Information: www.USATF.org

Live Results: www.FlashResults.com

 

Follow the Nittany Lions Â…

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/pennstatecrosscountryandtrackandfield

On Twitter: @PennStTFXC

 

Current Nittany Lions at the Olympic Trials Â…

 

Rebekka Simko – Women’s 800-Meters

 

Simko, just a sophomore, punched her ticket to the Trials in fine style last weekend, running a PR and school-record 2:03.09 for the 800-meters at the American MilersÂ’ Series in Indianapolis.  The sophomore has had a breakout 2012, qualifying for her first NCAA Outdoor Championships earlier this month, where she finished 15^th overall to earn Second Team All-America honors.  Simko has also enjoyed a great deal of success at the conference level this year, finishing third in the 800 at the Big Ten Indoor Championships, and matching the bronze-medal effort at the outdoor conference meet.

 

Casimir Loxsom – Men’s 800-Meters

 

Loxsom is no stranger to high-level competition, having represented the U.S. in international competition at the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships and the 2011 World University Games.  The junior got his qualifying mark out of the way last summer, thanks to a school-record 1:45.28 at the Harry Jerome Classic.  Loxsom put together another stellar campaign in 2012, picking up his third-straight Big Ten Outdoor title in the 800-meters this spring, to go along with a gold-medal finish in the 4x400-meter relay.  Loxsom and the relay proved to be one of the top quartets in the country at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, placing fourth in the 4x400 final, following a school-record run of 3:01.52 in the preliminary round.

 

Brady Gehret – Men’s 400-Meters

 

Gehret is another Nittany Lion to come on strong this spring, winning his first-career Big Ten title in the 400-meters, via a PR and Trials “A” standard performance of 45.22.  Already a five-time All-American in just three NCAA appearances, Gehret impressed at the NCAA Championships, placing sixth in the 400 against sensational competition.  The sophomore, who was the Big Ten runner-up in the 200-meters, has also been the big leg on the Nittany LionsÂ’ record-setting 4x400-meter relay, clocking 44-second splits on both of Penn StateÂ’s 3:01 efforts at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.  The Altoona, Pa., native is also in line to qualify for 200 at the Trials, which is set for the second session.

 

Joe Kovacs – Men’s Shot Put

 

Kovacs will enter the 2012 Trials as the number-two entrant from the collegiate ranks, boasting a PR and Penn State record of 68-5 (20.85) in the shot put.  The senior, who placed fourth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, has been on fire throughout the spring, picking up victories at Penn Relays, the Big Ten Championships, and the NCAA Eastern Preliminary.  His efforts have not gone unnoticed, as Kovacs was named Big Ten Field Event Athlete of the Year, as well as the USTFCCCA Mid-Atlantic Region Field Athlete of the Year.

 

 

Jess Riden

Director of Operations

Track and Field/Cross Country

Penn State University

147 Bryce Jordan Center

University Park, PA 16802

Office: 814.863.2120

Cell: 814.883.6616

Fax: 814.863.8933

 

    

  

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