Delaware Track and Field Hall of Fame

Honoring Delaware's Track & Field Athletes

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Mike DeGennero

January 6, 2022 by Webmaster Ray Christensen

Mike DeGenneroHall of Fame induction: 2021

His record-setting career at University of Delaware was capped by winning the IC4A cross country championship in 2000, pacing the Blue Hens to the America East title by winning two events, championships in one meet, and running 8:35 in the steeplechase, ranking him 14th nationally, four times University of Delaware MVP. Finished 15th in 2004 Olympic steeplechase trials.

An IC4A Champion at Van Cortland Park (24:52 5-miles), university record (2000), 14th at Roy Griak Invitational (2000), 17th in NCAA Region 2 (31:10), University record for 8000 meters (24:41) at Lehigh, Course record at White Clay Creek (25:18)

In outdoor track and field at the University of Delaware he placed 3rd at IC4A Steeplechase (2000), America East Outdoor Champion 3000-meter steeplechase and 5000 meters (2000), set a university record in 3000-meter steeplechase 9:00.32 (2000 at Penn Relays)

In indoor track and field at the University of Delaware he was an America East Indoor Champion in the 5000-meter, runner-up 3000 meters (2000), 7th at IC4A 3000 meters 8:21.41, was a university record-holder at 3000 meters (8:21.41) and distance medley relay (1600-meter leg)

Overall was selected as the University of Delaware MVP in cross country (1999 and 2000), indoor track (2000), outdoor track (2000)

Post College he obtained personal bests in the 1500 meters 3:46.34, Mile 3:58 (road), 3000 meters 8:03, Steeplechase 8:35.00, 5000 meters 14:03, 10,000 meters 29:58 (road).

His key performances were 2004 Olympic Trials in 3000-meter Steeplechase 8:36.20 15th place finish, he recorded a 3rd at 2004 Stanford Cardinal Invitational (8:35.00) to reach ‘A’ Standard for Olympic Trials

Filed Under: 2021

Cathy Kirchner Smith

January 6, 2022 by Webmaster Ray Christensen

Cathy Kirchner SmithHall of Fame induction: 2021

From 1969-77, Cathy was an 11-time Delaware Junior Olympic champion in the 50, 220, 440, and 880, and 5-time Middle Atlantic Junior Olympic Champion in the 50, 440, and 880. She was a Delaware State Open Cross Country champion 4-times and the state record holder from 1972-75.

While at Springer Junior High, she set national junior high school records in two events on the same day in 1974 at the Delaware Girls State Track Meet, Intermediate Division: 58.6 in the 440 and 26.2 in the 220.

As a high school sophomore in 1975, she ran 55.8 in the 440 at the AAU Junior National Track and Field Championships. She also won the women’s 880 (all ages) at the Middle Atlantic AAU Indoor Championship in 2:17. In 1977, she set a state women’s record of 2:14.1 in the 800 meters at the Delaware Track Classic, then lowered her personal best to 2:10.3 with a win at the Delaware AAU Track Championship in 1978.

She was a six-time individual State Champion for Brandywine High School, sweeping the 100, 220, and 440 in 1975, the 220 and 440 in 1976, and the 400m in 1977. She set state high school records in the 100y (11.5), 220 (25.1), 400m (57.5), and 800m (2:19.2) and anchored state record-setting mile and sprint medley relay teams. Was on the varsity boy’s cross country team, rising to 5th on the team as a senior, and became the first woman to score varsity points in the 1976 boy’s state cross country championship.

At the University of Tennessee, she broke the school’s indoor 880 record three times (1978-80) and set the school outdoor 800m record (2:10.5) in 1979. She was the Tennessee state champion and state record holder in the 1500m (4:38) in 1979 and state champion in the 800m in 1980. She was on the seven-woman squad which took 8th place at the AIAW Cross Country Nationals in 1977, on the 2-mile relay placing 6th at the 1978 AIAW Nationals, and on the 1-mile relay placing 7th and setting a new school record (3:40.0) at the 1980 AIAW Nationals. In 1981, the Volunteers were overall AIAW national champions. A Scholar Athlete, Cathy was valedictorian of UT’s College of Communications in 1981, leaving to work for the Leo Burnett Advertising Agency in Chicago and Tokyo, where, instead of hanging up her spikes, she competed for numerous years on their corporate track team.

Filed Under: 2021

Robert Dixon

January 6, 2022 by Webmaster Ray Christensen

Robert DixonHall of Fame induction: 2021

The one of the state’s top high and intermediate hurdler when he was at Glasgow High School and he had an outstanding career at West Virginia University.

While at Glasgow High School his performances ranked him as one of Delaware’s best high and intermediate hurdles in 1994 and 1995, he remains, 25 years after graduation, seventh all-time in the high hurdles (14.15). His 14.66 at the 1992 state meet remains the fastest high hurdles time ever by a Delaware ninth grader.

He ran 55.31 in the 400-meter hurdles at the Penn Relays, then the second best in Delaware history. Graduated as the state’s third fastest 300-meter hurdler ever (38.08)

He was an Indoor champion at 55 hurdles in 1994 and 1995, he ran a 7.54 (converted from a hand-timed 7.3, the fastest ever at the tight Tower Hill track), which remains sixth all-time. Led the Dragons to the indoor state title.

Outdoors he qualified for the National Scholastic Outdoor Championship in 1994 and 1995. Ranked fourth in the U.S. in the 110 highs as a senior.

While attending West Virginia University he graduated as fifth fastest in university history in indoor 55-meter hurdles. Was a member of fastest shuttle hurdle relay team in West Virginia history, which was ranked in the Top 10 in the NCAA in 1996. Member of 4×200 and 4×400 meter teams that are fifth all-time at WVU.

Head track coach at Frederick (Md.) High School, where his teams have won two championships in the last four years.

Despite these accomplishments, Rob’s proudest achievements have come from as a coach, mentoring his chil-dren and many youth athletes to success through our sport of track and field.

Filed Under: 2021

Bob Ptak

June 23, 2021 by Webmaster Ray Christensen

Bob PtakHall of Fame induction: 2020

A nationally prominent javelin thrower, he was the first Delawarean to finish second in an IC4A event, in 1955. He was a high-level achiever in four field events.

While attending Wilmington High School he was New Castle County champion in high jump, discus and javelin in 1952.
He was Delaware’s second 6-foot high school high jumper, he held the state high school record (6 feet ⅞ inches) for five years.

He high-jumped 6-2 at the 1952 State Open to set a meet record that stood until it was broken by Chris Dunn in 1968.
While attending La Salle College he threw the javelin 192-5 at the IC4A championship meet in 1955, to finish second to teammate Al Cantello (named the best American javelin thrower ever by Sport magazine in 1962).

He became the first Delaware performer to finish as high as second in the meet, begun in 1876.

He won the high jump, discus and javelin at the 1955 Delaware AAU State Open, finishing second in the shot put.
He finished second in the javelin, fourth in the high jump, fourth in the discus at the 16-school Middle Atlantic Conference meet in 1955.

Filed Under: 2020

Sandy Gibney

June 23, 2021 by Webmaster Ray Christensen

Sandy GibneyHall of Fame induction: 2020

A multi-sport athlete who turned her focus to distance running, she became an all-American and multi-event record-setter at University of Delaware.

While attending the University of Delaware she was an All-American in cross country, finishing 16th in the 1981 AIAW Division Two championship, running 19.06 in a 20-mile/hour wind in Pocatello, Idaho.

She set university records in nine events, including 800 meters, 3000 meters, 5000 meters two-mile and three miles.
She became the first Blue Hen woman to qualify for a national championship cross country championship meet in 1980, finishing 29th in the NCAA Division Two meet.

She qualified for the national (AIAW) 5000 championship meet as a frosh in 1980 (16:53)

She won the 1982 Pepsi Challenge 10,000-meters against a national field over 1,000- runners in Fairmount Park (35:24)

She was inducted into the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.

Filed Under: 2020

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