Keystone Staters in Rio: A look at former PA preps at the Olympics

We cover plenty of stars in high school track and field in the state of Pennsylvania. We marvel at their talent and always make it fun to watch. Very few, however, see the big stage of the Olympics. Here's a look at the former PA preps that will be competing in Rio with information on when they'll be competing. 

Photo by Don Rich (2011)

Leah Nugent (Team Jamaica)

Nugent competed at Abington High School in District 1 and closed out her career as one of the most decorated athletes in state history. She was twice state champion in the 300 meter hurdles. She finished her senior year in 2011 with a PA state record in the event, running a time of 41.10. That record still stands today. In 2015, she was third in the NCAA in the 400-meter hurdles, competing for the University of Kentucky. She ran a personal best of 55.44 in the 400-meter hurdles at the Jamaican Trials to finish second and qualify for Rio.

When she competes: Women's 400m Hurdles, Round 1--Monday, August 15, 8:30 PM


Photo by Eric Taylor

Nia Ali (Team USA)

Ali graduated from Pleasantville High School in New Jersey, but she attended West Catholic before transferring for her senior year. She went on to run colleigiately at the University of Soutern California, where she was NCAA champion in the 100-meter hurdles in 2011. Ali, who runs for Nike, earned the third and final qualifying spot in the 100-meter hurdles at the USA Trials. She clocked a time of 12.55.

Ali on Cheltenham's Chanel Brissett: "Chanel is an amazing talent. To run 12.95 that young, she's amazing. I'm already trying to talk her into Southern Cal. She'd be great at USC." (Philadelphia Inquirer).

When she competes: Women's 100m Hurdles, Round 1--Tuesday, August 16, 10:05 AM


Photo by Don Rich (2007)

Joe Kovacs (Team USA)

Kovacs is a 2007 graduate of Bethlehem Catholic in District 11. He was a PIAA state champion in the shot put in 2007, wiining with a throw of 64-10.75. He went on to throw at Penn State University, where he won the NCAA title in the shot in 2011. He was fourth at the USA Olympic Trials in 2012, but he won a world championship in 2015. Kovacs was second at the USA Olympic Trials this year to qualify him for Rio. 

Our friends at FloTrack predict him to take the silver medal in the shot put!

When he competes: Men's Shot Put, Qualifying--Thursday, August 18, 8:55 AM



Photo by Don Rich (2011)

Darrell Hill (Team USA)

Hill, a 2011 Penn Wood graduate, will be headed to his first Olympics after placing third at the USA Olympic Trials. Hill was twice runner-up in the state in the shot put. He was second at indoor states his senior year and then went on to take second at outdoor states. His high school PR was 56-5.75 at that outdoor state meet.

Hill went on to throw for Penn State. In 2015, he was second in the shot put at NCAAs. At the Trials, he unleashed his personal best on his final throw (70-11.75) to earn the third and final spot. In an incredible story, his father will be in Rio to watch him compete.

When he competes: Men's Shot Put, Qualifying--Thursday, August 18, 8:55 AM