Provos, U.S. Shot Put Standout Kovacs Highlight Alumni Open Day 1

It was a memorable day of outdoor field on Friday (April 26) on Day 1 of the 14^th Ashland Alumni Open at the Dwight Schar Athletic Complex.
 
Not only did Ashland University's men and women combine for four nationals marks toward the 2024 NCAA Division II Championships, May 23-25 in Emporia, Kan., but one of the top men's shot putters in world history, Joe Kovacs, put on a show for the assembled crowd.
 
In the women's hammer throw elite, redshirt freshman Leslie Pollock shattered her previous provo in taking third place, launching a top throw of 57.18 meters/187-feet-7. That throw would get Pollock into the national meet if the season ended today. Also, junior Kaylyn Barnette took fifth with a new provo distance of 54.21 meters/177-feet-10.
 
In the men's hammer throw elite, junior Brock Janowicz placed eighth with an improved provo of 59.74 meters/196-feet-0. And the men's pole vault saw junior Elmar Schutte with an improved provo of 4.92 meters/16-feet-1¾.
 
"Overall, a really good first day. Some really good things," said Ashland head coach A.G. Kruger. "You want that progression to keep on moving forward in the next couple weeks."
 
Then there was Kovacs, the No. 2 men's shot putter in world history, who won the men's shot put elite on Friday night with a top heave of 22.01 meters/72-feet-2½.
 
"Of course, the legacy of Jud Logan," answered Kovacs when asked why he competed at AU. "My wife, Ashley, grew up with Jud as a mentor in North Canton, Ohio. It's super-emotional for her to come back here. Ashland is kind of a throws mecca. It's cool that this (event) is named for Kurt Roberts, who's one of my good friends and competitors from the past.
 
"It's cool to start the season here."
 
Said Kruger, "He just wanted to come to a meet. I already knew his wife. They were looking to open up for a meet. It's a great to have great people want to come here. It's awesome to see those types of people want to come here and compete."
 
Sophomore Garrett Baker tied for second in the men's pole vault at 5.07 meters/16-feet-7½, and redshirt freshman Molly Winner was third in the women's hammer throw at 51.91 meters/170-feet-3.
 
Ashland's coaches got into the act on Friday, as well. Kruger won the men's hammer throw elite at 69.14 meters/226-feet-10, while assistant coach DaJuan Seward took top honors in the men's triple jump at 14.99 meters/49-feet-2¼.
 
UP NEXT
Day 2 of the 14^th Ashland Alumni Open on Saturday (April 27), starting at 10 a.m..