Jan. 26, 2010

OXFORD, Ohio - Rarely are athletes named the best in their sport on an entire continent, but such is the case for former RedHawk Dan Huling (2002-06), who was tabbed the 2009 Steeplechase Runner of the Year for North and Central America by All-Athletics.com on Monday (Jan. 25). Huling was recognized by the international track and field/running Web site for his achievements this past year.

Huling finished second in the steeplechase at the U.S. Track and Field National Championships in late June in Eugene, Ore., which earned him a spot on the U.S. National Team that competed in the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships in Berlin, Germany. At the World Championships on August 16, Huling had a disappointing preliminary heat, finishing in 8:46.79, which did not qualify him for the finals, but he was the top U.S. finisher at the meet.

Less than three weeks later, Huling rebounded with a career-best performance at a Golden League meet in Brussels, Belgium on Sept. 4. At the meet, he placed fourth in a career-best time of 8:14.56, which topped his previous best by seven seconds and finished the year as the top American time in the steeplechase in 2009 by over eight seconds. The mark also jumped him from 23rd to sixth on the all-time list of U.S. steeplechase times and was the fastest time in the event by an American since the U.S. record was set in 2006.

"All of us in the Miami Track and Cross Country program are proud of Dan's accomplishments. He has continued to work hard and persevere in a grueling and often lonely sport," said Miami head track and cross country coach Warren Mandrell, who coached Huling. "All of that dedication, and the miles that he has run, have brought him to the point where he is able to compete with the best in the world. What an exciting time for him!"

Huling certainly left his mark at Miami as well, as he still owns four Miami indoor records (1,500m, the mile run, 3,000m and 5,000m) and the Miami 3K steeplechase outdoor record of 8:27.41 he set as a senior in 2006. He was a two-time All-American as a RedHawk, earning the honor in outdoor track in 2006 by placing sixth at the NCAA Championships in the 5,000m and in the 2005 cross country season by placing 26th at the NCAA Championship meet. Huling won three MAC championships in 2006 in the steeplechase, the 5,000m and the 10,000m, while winning the 2005 MAC title in the 5,000m as well. As a senior in 2005, he was also the MAC individual champion in cross country.

All-Athletics.com is a comprehensive site dedicated to track and field and running around the world and named a middle-distance runner, a long-distance runner and a steeplechase runner of the year for each continent.

--MURedHawks.com--

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