The Red and Black

Issue date: 6/19/08 Section: Sports

HILL

Something that had never happened for Georgia in the history of its track and field program happened during the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, last week.

Sophomore Chris Hill won the men's outdoor javelin title with a throw of 257 feet, 3 inches. It was the first ever javelin title in program history, and it was the first men's indoor or outdoor track title since Lucais Mackay won the outdoor hammer throw in 2003.

Hill, a transfer from McNeese State, won the title on his second throw as Corey White of Southern California was unable to match his distance.

"This was a solid meet where the competition with Adam (Montague of Florida) and Corey (White of Southern California) could not have been any better," Hill, a native of Sulphur, La., said in a news release "But this is a kid's dream come true, and I have to thank God for getting me this far. There is also no way I would be where I am now without the help of Coach (Don) Babbitt."

In addition to his individual title, Hill also earned All-American honors for his achievement. Teammates Justin Gaymon (400-meter hurdles), Ian Burrell (5000-m) and Sarah Madebach (3000-m steeplechase) also earned All-American honors to lead the Bulldogs.

Gaymon, a junior, entered the hurdles as the odds-on favorite to win the NCAA title had the lead heading into the final hurdle, but his foot clipped the 10th hurdle. However, he was immediately disqualified anyway for a trail leg violation. Gaymon earned an All-American certificate because he had reached the finals of his event.

Burrell, a senior, placed ninth in the 5000-m with the second-fastest time in his career with a 13:48.40 and earned his third All-American award in his final season of eligibilty.

Madebach, a senior, was the only member of the women's team to earn points in Iowa, with her seventh place finish in the steeplechase. A former walk-on, she broke her own school record by more than a second with a time of 10:07.16 and earned her first All-American certificate in the process.

In fact, it marked the first time Georgia had ever had an All-American in the steeplechase.

"It feels great and I don't think any words can describe it," Madebach said. "I remember having a conversation with (teammate) Natalie Picchetti after I absolutely bombed an NCAA cross meet and saying, 'Do you think we will ever be All-Americans?' And I remember both of us saying, 'Yeah, I think we will someday.'"

Overall, the men's team finished in a tie for 25 with 10 points while the women's team placed in a tie for 60th with two points. Florida State defeated LSU 52-44 to win the men's team title while the LSU women defeated Arizona State 67-63 to win the women's team title.

With the conclusion of the Championships, several Bulldogs - including Hill and Gaymon - will travel to Eugene, Ore., to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials which begin on June 27.

- Nick Parker contributed to this report.

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