Desmond Dalworth Koch (May 10, 1932 – January 26, 1991) was an American track and field athlete and football player who won a bronze medal in the discus throw at the 1956 Summer Olympics.[1]

Des Koch
Koch at the 1956 Olympics
Personal information
BornMay 10, 1932
Lincoln County, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedJanuary 26, 1991 (aged 58)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materUSC
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight95 kg (209 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)Discus throw, shot put, javelin throw
ClubUS Air Force
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)DT – 55.08 m (1956)
SP – 15.85 m (1954)
JT – 64.92 m (1954)[1][2]
Medal record
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1956 Melbourne Discus throw

Koch graduated from Reed High School in Shelton, Washington and University of Southern California. In 1955 he won the NCAA discus title, but failed to qualify for the 1956 Olympics; he was included in the team to replace Ron Drummond who could not compete. Besides athletics Koch was known for his football skills. He played as an amateur and tried out with the Green Bay Packers (who drafted him in the 1954 NFL draft) and San Diego Chargers, but never played as a professional. Koch married Mitzi Whitefeather, a Native American. They together had three children name India, Tonya, and Sandy. After retiring from sport he worked at a plastics manufacturing plant, eventually becoming its executive. [1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Des Koch. sports-reference.com
  2. ^ Desmond Koch. trackfield.brinkster.net