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Chris Mirabelli concluded his historic collegiate career on Wednesday night by becoming the first Rutgers Track & Field athlete to earn All-American status four times in the same event. In addition, sophomore Taj Burgess earned All-American status for the second straight year.
At the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Austin, Texas, Mirabelli’s throw of 69.71m (228’ 8”) resulted in a ninth place finish in the javelin, earning Mirabelli Second Team All-American honors. He earned Honorable Mention All-American status as a freshman and sophomore, before finishing a career best 8th as a junior, clinching First Team All-American honors.
The graduate student came back this season after missing all of last year due to shoulder surgery and a heart condition. He won his third Big Ten title in the javelin last month and was able to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships at regional competition two weeks ago. He ended his Rutgers career one spot behind his best finish ever at the NCAA Championships and cemented his legacy as the best javelin thrower in program history.
The throw that made Chris Mirabelli a 4X All-American!
— Rutgers Men's TF/XC (@RutgersMensTFXC) June 7, 2019
Mirabelli recorded a throw of 69.71m (228' 8") in the javelin at the #NCAATF Championships to finish ninth in the nation, claiming Second Team All-American honors! pic.twitter.com/USmOLJuB3j
Burgess finished in 18th place in the 400m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday night with a time of 46.45, earning him Honorable Mention All-American honors. He earned Second Team All-American status last year as a freshman with a time of 46.16, finishing 16th in the nation.
On Thursday, freshman sensation Reanda Richards will run in the 400m hurdles. She enters the NCAA Outdoor Championships having won back to back events, winning the Big Ten title a month ago, followed by winning the NCAA East Regional two weeks ago. She ran the nation’s second fastest time this season at 56.31 to win the regional, giving her legitimate national title aspirations. Richards will run the 400m hurdles semifinal at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, which will be shown live on ESPN2. If she advances, the final will take place on Saturday, June 9th at 7:57 p.m. ET and shown live on ESPN2.
Congratulations to Chris Mirabelli on an outstanding Rutgers career, as well as Taj Burgess on a second straight strong season on the banks.