AUSTIN, TEXAS – Graduate student
Chris Mirabelli and sophomore
Taj Burgess of Rutgers men's track and field collected All-America status at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday night. Mirabelli became a four-time All-American in the javelin, while Burgess picked up All-America honors in the 400m for the second consecutive season.
Mirabelli recorded a throw of 69.71m (228' 8") in the javelin to finish ninth in the nation, claiming Second Team All-American honors. The Lumberton, New Jersey, is now a four-time All-American, earning First Team status in 2017 before sitting out a season due to a shoulder surgery and a heart condition. During his comeback this year, Mirabelli claimed his third Big Ten title in the javelin with a throw of 71.83m, claiming First Team All-Big Ten status for the third time.
Mirabelli becomes the program's first ever four-time All-American in a single event in the outdoor season alone, claiming the recognition in the javelin at four outdoor championships.
At his second straight Nationals, Burgess clocked a time of 46.45 in the 400m semifinal to finish 18th in the nation. The Jersey City, New Jersey, native will earn honorable mention recognition for the performance. Last season, Burgess collected Second Team All-American honors in the race his rookie year. Additionally, Burgess claimed a silver medal in the event at the 2018 Big Ten Championships, while adding a podium finish this season.
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