May 30, 2002
Baton Rouge, La. -- Sophomore Gary File earned All-American honors Thursday night when he placed ninth in the javelin at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. File had his personal-best throw with his mark of 228-4.
"My goal was just to come out here and get a PR, and I did that," File said. "Then I just wanted to get All-American. It's really great."
Throws coach Brett Halter said File's performance Thursday was an amazing one.
"I'm really proud of the way he competed," Halter said. "He really made the most of the opportunity. He was literally the last athlete of the 300 or so athletes entered into the meet. He was ranked 20th in the javelin and he finished ninth.
"To be able to walk into this venue and deliver a PR and be an All-American is simply outstanding. It's really exciting and a big breakthrough for Gary. I think he matured as a competitor today."
Also competing Thursday was sophomore Christi Myers. Myers placed 14th in the high jump as she cleared a mark of 5-7.25.