CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbird track and field team will once again be represented at the NCAA National Championships this week in Eugene, Oregon, as Jayson Kovar will compete in the discus.
Kovar will compete on Friday, with the discus final scheduled to start at 6:05 MST. The 2016 Track and Field Championships will be hosted by the University of Oregon, right in the heart of Track Town, USA.
As Jayson prepares for his first trip to Nationals, he said the nerves are starting to sneak in but he's very confident in his abilities.
“I'm excited, but a little bit nervous,” he said. “I'm just trying to get some good workouts in this week and start resting up next week and hopefully it will all come together.
Jayson said that from the outset this season, making it to this point was his ambition, with hopefully more in the future.
“This was the goal for the season, making it all the way to Nationals and then after that see if we can go into the Olympic Trials,” he said. “It's going to be tough, but I'm going to try.”
In regards to the competition he will face, Jayson said he's expecting to see a lot of good talent.
“It's going to be tough competition,” he said. “If it all goes well I can be up in the top.”
Kovar's personal best is a 58.97, which was a new Southern Utah record set at Long Beach. At the NCAA West Prelims at Rock Chalk Park he threw a 56.92.
Jayson is also following in the steps of his sister Kayla, who represented the Thunderbirds at the last two NCAA National Championships on the women's side.
Jayson's coach and father, Jay Kovar, said Jayson's work ethic has really pushed him to achieve greatness this season.
“He's worked hard and he's been consistent,” he said. “Every week, every day, he doesn't miss practice and it's all paying off.”
When asked how much pride he feels watching his son perform, Jay responded with, “tons.”
“I'm glad to see all of hard work paying off for him,” Jay continued. “I feel a ton of pride, and I'm really proud of him.”
A livestream of the discus will be broadcast on ESPN3, starting shortly before the event is set to begin.
Link to video stream: http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/2838819/ncaa-track--field-outdoor-championships-discus
Link to live stats: http://www.ncaa.com/ncaa-division-i-track-field-championships
Updates on all things track and field can be followed on the Southern Utah Track and XC Facebook page.
