Genoa’s Szypka looks for help to achieve dreams

Genoa and Kentucky graduate Brad Szypka wants to qualify to the 2016 Olympic Trials in the shot put.

But he needs a little help to make his dreams a reality.

Szypka’s father, Andy Szypka, created a Brad Szypka-Olympic Dream page June 13 at gofundme.com. Szypka has raised $2,050 through 29 donations.

The goal is to raise $12,000 in 75 days. Funds will go toward training/equipment/gear, travel expenses for qualifying meets and training sessions, chiropractic sessions, food/lodging, medical expenses and miscellaneous costs.

“What a lot of people don’t understand is that taking your career from college to professional is a big financial step,” Szypka said. “Even some of the best athletes have to spend a year or two in a professional setting proving they can compete to a level where people will sponsor them.

“I don’t have the college funding and I have to be able to afford the style of living for my career.”

Szypka, who graduated from Kentucky in June, was a four-time All-American in the shot put. He was first-team twice and second-team twice.

Szypka was Southeastern Conference shot put champ for the indoor season in 2014 and fifth at nationals. He is currently ranked 20th in the U.S.

“Winning indoor SECs was special,” Szypka said. “That was a goal as a freshman. Even in a top conference, I wanted to be in the top tier. Not many people were expecting me to win. I started to put my name out there and people expected top throws.”

The Olympic Games are in Rio, Brazil in 2016. Szypka will have to achieve national and Olympic standard throws of about 66 and 67 feet, respectively, prior to Trials.

His career best is 65.4.

Szypka is enrolled in a one-year graduate program at Kentucky to earn his master’s degree in education. He will continue to work with Wildcats coaches.

“I’m in a transition stage,” he said. “I’ll compete professionally. My biggest goal is to make Trials and fight for a position in the Olympics.”