Girls’ track and field: Babcock is Gatorade state athlete of the year

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After breaking her own National Federation of High School Assns. record en route to her third state title in the 1,600 meters last month, it only makes sense Woodbridge senior Christine Babcock was named the 2008 Gatorade California girls’ track and field athlete of the year on Tuesday.

Babcock, who will be running at Washington in the fall after graduating with a 4.03 cumulative grade point average, will always be remembered as one of the state’s greatest prep long distance runners. She posted a time of 4 minutes 33.82 seconds in the 1,600 this spring and her 10:04.03 in the 3,200 was the third quickest time in the state. She also ranked No. 13 in the nation in the 800 meters (2:10.15).

In addition, she also captured her second straight Division II cross country title last fall.

With the honor, Babcock is a finalist for the Gatorade national track and field athlete of the year. We’ll find out later this month if she can take home the national hardware.

Also, be sure to check out this video of Babcock in the 1,600 meters at the CIF State Track and Field Championships on May 31. It’s the kind of record-setting performance that draws plenty of attention from track afficianados and sports drink companies alike.

-- Austin Knoblauch

-- Image by Austin Knoblauch