EUGENE, Oregon - Jayson Kovar represented the Thunderbirds at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Historic Hayward Field on Friday night in the discus, where he earned Second Team All-American status finishing in ninth place in a field stacked with the very best in the NCAA.  

“It means a lot,” Kovar said when asked what having the title of All-American means to him. “It's what I've been working for, so it's good to get that under my belt and it just makes me hungrier for next year.”

Kovar finished second in the first of two flights, with a high throw of 57.76 meters (189' 6''). He led the way for the majority of the first flight, but a late and big throw from Virginia Tech's Marek Barta (58.57) gave him the furthest throw of the opening flight.

The throw was good enough to advance Kovar to the finals, which only the top nine competitors advanced to.

In the finals Kovar was not able to top his previous mark, but still finished in ninth place and earned the title of All-American.

Kovar entered competition ranked 18th, finishing much higher than was expected.

SUU head coach Eric Houle said he was extremely impressed with what Kovar was able to accomplish at the National Championships.

“At this level and this stage to more than simply perform like you have all year and perform better is exactly what you want,” he said. “To go in and better their place under all that pressure is the sign of a successful athlete.”

Nebraska's Nicholas Percy won the event with a throw of 61.27 meters.

Kovar was just five inches away from finishing in eighth place, and said that will motivate him moving forward.

“My last throw was actually my best one, had it not gone foul I could have finished in sixth or seventh place,” Kovar said.

With the conclusion of the meet Kovar wrapped up his junior season, and will have a senior campaign to once again chace an NCAA Championship.

Houle said finishes like these, and adding another All-American to the growing list at SUU, is helping propel the program forward.