University of Georgia Athletics
Bulldogs Thrive At Pan-Am Games
July 30, 2007 | Track & Field
ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia track and field finished with one silver medal and three bronze medals at the 2007 Pan American Games, which concluded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday.
While Levern Spencer came away with a bronze medal in the high jump, two former Bulldogs also excelled during the 18-day meet. LaRon "Bud" Bennett managed a silver medal with his USA teammates in the 4x400-meter relay and crossed the finish line for a bronze medal in the 400 hurdles. Also, Jennifer Dahlgren earned a bronze medal in the hammer throw versus a loaded field.
"I am happy with the development and performances of this group of athletes," said Georgia head coach Wayne Norton. "What they are doing in international competition while representing their countries is indicative of their abilities. It is that talent that has helped our program achieve the success that it has had over the last several years. UGA will continue to be successful as we continue to attract quality student-athletes who are willing to work diligently."
Spencer, who will be a junior indoors and a senior outdoors in 2008,captured third place in the high jump after clearing 6 feet, 1.5 inches. After winning her premier event at the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) for her native country of St. Lucia in mid-July, Spencer will be gunning to improve on her runner-up finish at the 2007 NCAA indoor meet during the 2008 seasons.
On the track, Bennett, who was a three-time outdoor All-American for the Bulldogs before wrapping up his career in 2005, returned to train in Athens with a pair of medals. The Brunswick, Ga., native clocked a 49.07 in the 400 hurdle finals to finish third. Bennett also joined Greg Nixon, Jamaal Torrance and David Neville on Team USA's 4x400 relay team to earn a silver medal with a time of 3:02.44.
"Winning a medal for the USA is a tremendous accomplishment for Bud," said Bulldog sprints/hurdles coach Jon Stuart. "I know that his hometown of Brunswick, the state of Georgia and all of the people in the Bulldog Nation are very proud of him."
Competing for Argentina, Dahlgren tallied a third bronze medal for Georgia's track and field program in the hammer throw. Dahlgren, who won three NCAA titles, eight All-American certificates and four Southeastern Conference crowns before ending her career in June, took only two throws and saw her second attempt (which came in the sixth and final round) travel 224-3 for third place.
"For her first major international meet since ending her collegiate career, I thought she did a great job winning a bronze medal," said Georgia throws coach Don Babbitt. "The gold medal winner (Cuba's Yipsi Moreno) is the No. 1-ranked thrower in the world and the silver medal winner (Cuba's Arasay Thondike) is an extremely talented thrower so although the competition at this meet was probably not as strong as the World Championships, there were some of the best throwers competing. Jenny should be really proud of her effort as well as her bronze medal."
For full results of the Pan-Am Games, please click HERE.
While Levern Spencer came away with a bronze medal in the high jump, two former Bulldogs also excelled during the 18-day meet. LaRon "Bud" Bennett managed a silver medal with his USA teammates in the 4x400-meter relay and crossed the finish line for a bronze medal in the 400 hurdles. Also, Jennifer Dahlgren earned a bronze medal in the hammer throw versus a loaded field.
"I am happy with the development and performances of this group of athletes," said Georgia head coach Wayne Norton. "What they are doing in international competition while representing their countries is indicative of their abilities. It is that talent that has helped our program achieve the success that it has had over the last several years. UGA will continue to be successful as we continue to attract quality student-athletes who are willing to work diligently."
Spencer, who will be a junior indoors and a senior outdoors in 2008,captured third place in the high jump after clearing 6 feet, 1.5 inches. After winning her premier event at the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) for her native country of St. Lucia in mid-July, Spencer will be gunning to improve on her runner-up finish at the 2007 NCAA indoor meet during the 2008 seasons.
On the track, Bennett, who was a three-time outdoor All-American for the Bulldogs before wrapping up his career in 2005, returned to train in Athens with a pair of medals. The Brunswick, Ga., native clocked a 49.07 in the 400 hurdle finals to finish third. Bennett also joined Greg Nixon, Jamaal Torrance and David Neville on Team USA's 4x400 relay team to earn a silver medal with a time of 3:02.44.
"Winning a medal for the USA is a tremendous accomplishment for Bud," said Bulldog sprints/hurdles coach Jon Stuart. "I know that his hometown of Brunswick, the state of Georgia and all of the people in the Bulldog Nation are very proud of him."
Competing for Argentina, Dahlgren tallied a third bronze medal for Georgia's track and field program in the hammer throw. Dahlgren, who won three NCAA titles, eight All-American certificates and four Southeastern Conference crowns before ending her career in June, took only two throws and saw her second attempt (which came in the sixth and final round) travel 224-3 for third place.
"For her first major international meet since ending her collegiate career, I thought she did a great job winning a bronze medal," said Georgia throws coach Don Babbitt. "The gold medal winner (Cuba's Yipsi Moreno) is the No. 1-ranked thrower in the world and the silver medal winner (Cuba's Arasay Thondike) is an extremely talented thrower so although the competition at this meet was probably not as strong as the World Championships, there were some of the best throwers competing. Jenny should be really proud of her effort as well as her bronze medal."
For full results of the Pan-Am Games, please click HERE.
Sunday, June 14
Sunday, June 14
Sunday, June 14
Saturday, June 13