Junior javelin thrower shatters his own school record again

EUGENE, Ore. --- Georgia junior Chris Hill shattered his own school record to win the javelin during the opening day of the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., on Thursday afternoon.

Hill’s top throw of 275 feet, 2 inches was just two inches shy of breaking his own school record (268-4) by seven feet.  The Sulphur, La., native has now clinched his spot in the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, Germany, on Aug. 15-23.

“This was surreal,” said Hill.  “I knew I had to come up and hit something big.  I got the adrenaline, got the crowd into it and went for it.  I am so fortunate (to advance to the World Championships) and so excited.  I thank God that I have this opportunity.” 

“Chris did a great job tonight and showed the nation what type of competitor he is,” said Georgia throws coach Don Babbitt.  “This is the first time someone passed him at a meet this year and those are truly the situations that Chris thrives in.  I saw Chris go and shake hands with (Mike Hazel) after the meet and I’m betting he was thanking Mike for pushing him like he did today.”

Throwing eighth in the second of two flights, Hill opened with an effort of 252-5 after Mike Hazel (Nike) had launched his opening attempt 269-3 to set the tone of the competition.  Hill then bounced back on his second throw with a mark of 275-2, which would be considered an American collegiate record.

Hill’s third throw traveled 270-2 before he passed on his final three attempts.  Meanwhile, Hazel, whose opening throw was the second best in his career, had four fouls during his final five throws to help Hill clinch his title.

Hill now has the longest throw by an American this year and is No. 7 on the world’s performance list.

This was the finale to a phenomenal junior year for Hill.  After winning his first Southeastern Conference championship, Hill went on to cruise to his second NCAA East Regional title with a meet and facility record performance.

At the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., two weeks ago, Hill registered his second straight national title in dominating fashion.  He opened with a throw of 255-1, which would have won the competition by itself, before launching a top toss of 268-4 on his fifth attempt to break his own school record.

He became the first member of the Georgia men’s team to win back-to-back NCAA crowns since Andras Haklits captured a pair of hammer championships in 2001-02.  That was the 13^th national championship (11^th outdoor) in program history for the men.

Georgia has a number of current and former team members who will be competing throughout the four-day meet and all of the updates will be included at georgiadogs.com.