Georgia Track and Field Updates

Paul Westerdawg has already called your attention to Kara Lynn Joyce's ESPY nomination, but the Georgia swimmer is not alone among female Red and Black athletes to have been recognized recently for their achievements.

Earlier this month, Jennifer Dahlgren was named the Division I Women's Field Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for the second time in her collegiate career. Following her receipt of that honor, Dahlgren placed fifth at the Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic earlier today.

Dahlgren, who came into the meet ranked 14th in the world, hurled a hammer 226 feet and two inches to outclass the eighth-, 11th-, and 12th-ranked tool tossers on the planet.

Now that "Tool Time" is off the air, Binford Tools is considering signing Jennifer Dahlgren as its new pitchman.

Also among the Bulldog honorees on the distaff side was Natalie Picchetti, the Georgia mid-distance runner who was declared one of the S.E.C.'s 2007 Co-Scholar Athletes of the Year earlier in June. Picchetti is a native of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., which is a datum of no particular significance, except to the extent that "Rancho Cucamonga" is fun to say.

Since being decorated by the league, Picchetti turned in a career-best performance in the 1,500 meters on the first day of the U.S.A. Outdoor Track and Field Championships last week.

Picchetti was one of eight Bulldogs to travel to Indianapolis for the competition. Tommie Barrineau set new personal bests in the 100-meter dash and in the shot put at the Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships and Reese Hoffa claimed the championship in the shot put.

In summary, Georgia track and field athletes are performing well and winning awards, you should vote for Kara Lynn Joyce, and "Rancho Cucamonga" is just plain fun to say.

Go 'Dawgs!