McNeese\'s Chris Hill wins javelin event at NCAA mideast track and field regional meet

Columbia, MO - McNeese State's Chris Hill won the javelin event at the NCAA mideast track and field regionals on Saturday on his last throw.

The Cowboy freshman, a school record holder, joins pole vaulter Brad Gebauer as the university's qualifiers for the national championship meet which will be held June 6-9 in Sacramento, CA. Gebauer had qualified on Friday.

Hill, a native of Sulphur, uncorked a throw of 236-1 to win the meet and lead a one-two-three showing for the Southland Conference. Southeastern Louisiana's Curtis Moss finished second and Northwestern State's Cody Fillinich placed third.

Two performers from LSU finished fourth and fifth giving the state of Louisiana all five top finishes.

"It was a great performance for Chris," McNeese head coach Ty Sevin said.

"He was third going into his final throw and he came out on top. Before that final throw we talked about Moss having beaten him at conference and what he was going to do about it."

Sevin said that Hill had qualified for the championship meet with a throw of 69 meters (226-3) on his first attempt of the day.

"That put him into the championship next month but he was throwing good and he wanted to go on and try to win the event," Sevin added.

Other Cowboys and Cowgirls performing on Saturday did not fare as well.

Katarina Busljeta placed 18th in the women's discus with a throw of 147-2 and Stephanie Gilbert finished 23rd in the hammer at 168-1.

In the men's shot put, Jan Bicanic went 52-10 for 24th place and John Jamail threw 51-4 1/2 for 27th place. John Walledom did not make the finals in the javelin.