McNeese State To Welcome Back Chris Hill and Brad Gebauer

June 9, 2007

LAKE CHARLES-- McNeese State will open the Cowboy Room tonight, Saturday, June 9 at 7 p.m. for fans and friends to welcome back javelin thrower Chris Hill and pole vaulter Brad Gebauer from the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Both athletes helped put McNeese State University and the track and field team in the national spotlight during the year and most recently at the NCAA's. The Cowboys earned their first national ranking this season and both became school record holders and were named to the All-Southland Conference and All-Mideast region teams in their respective event.

Hill became the American Junior (19-and-under) record holder on Wednesday when he broke the 11 year old record of 238-8 held by the University of Washington's Troy Burkholder with a throw of 238-10. That throw also set a new school record which Hill set during the season. Hill advanced to the finals of the event Friday night and placed fifth with a throw of 229-4. The fifth place finish makes him an All-American.

Gebauer became McNeese State's second NCAA indoor champion by winning the 2007 NCAA Indoor pole vault event in Februrary. Gebauer ranked third in the nation heading into the NCAA Outdoor championships with a career throw of 18-0 3/4. The NCAA appearance was his second consecutive but first time to advance to the finals. He competed for Michigan State last year but failed to make the finals. He finished second at the Southland Conference meet this season and was named the league's "Newcomer of the Year".