It's been roughly eight years since Bethlehem Catholic's Joe Kovacs won the PIAA 2A championship in the shot put and the local big man continues his push in the sport on the world stage.

Kovacs won the men's shot put at the United States Track and Field Junior and Senior Championships held in Eugene, Ore., over the weekend.

His top throw came in at 71 feet, 8 inches, besting his previous championship winning throw of 71 feet, 1.25 inches at the adidas Grand Prix track and field competition recently in New York City.

The four-day event held at Hayward Field (Oregon) is a memorable spot for Kovacs, as he won the shot put at the Prefontaine Classic at the end of May with a throw of 72 feet, 7 inches.

Kovacs is currently the world leader in the shot put with a throw of 73 feet, 4 inches.

Last weekend's event was the final stop on the 2015 USATF Outdoor Championships.

The 2015 IAAF World Championships begin Aug. 22 in Beijing, China, and Kovacs is expected to throw for the United States.