The University of Mississippi Athletics
Chancellor Jones Honors Reese Tuesday In Lyceum
9/15/2009 | Track and Field
OXFORD, Miss. - A crowd of approximately 30 people gathered inside the historic Lyceum on the Ole Miss campus Tuesday morning as Ole Miss Chancellor Dan Jones recognized former Rebel All-American jumper Brittney Reese and all her recent accomplishments.
Reese recently won the long jump at the World Championships in Berlin after posting a personal best distance of 23-03.50, defeating defending champion Tatyana Lebedeva of Russia in the process. Over the weekend, Reese claimed another title as she won the long jump at the IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final with a leap of 23-02.75.
"Ole Miss values excellence and when someone is the very best in the world at what they do, you have to be impressed," Chancellor Jones said. "We are all very glad that Brittney is part of the Ole Miss family, and we wish her well in her quest for more world championships."
"It is a huge honor for me to be recognized by Chancellor Jones and the Ole Miss family," Reese said. "I was so glad to see how many people came out to show me how much they support me. I have worked really hard with the coaching staff and I just feel so blessed to be where I am."
"It's always great when the Chancellor of a University takes the time to recognize a student-athlete for their achievements," Ole Miss head coach Joe Walker said. "I know Brittney is very appreciative of all the support everyone has shown her over the past three years. She understands the significance of her accomplishments, and we are so proud of her for all that she has done."
One of the most decorated athletes in school history, Reese competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and finished fifth overall and was the top American finisher in the long jump with a mark of 22-02.25. She became just the sixth Ole Miss track and field athlete to compete in the Olympic Games.
In 2008, her final season in an Ole Miss uniform, Reese put together one of the greatest individual seasons in school history. She set a new school and collegiate record in the long jump with a distance of 22-06.50 at the SEC Indoor Championships en route to a conference title in the event.
Reese also set a new indoor school record in the triple jump at the SEC Championships with a mark of 42-08.75 to help her win the Commissioner's Trophy with the most points scored at the meet. Her 31 points scored were the most in school history.
Reese became the first female in school history to win an individual NCAA championship as she accomplished the feat in the long jump with a mark of 22-02.25 to give Ole Miss its 11th track and field national championship in school history.
At the conclusion of the year, Reese was selected as the SEC Indoor Female Field Athlete of the Year, named All-SEC first team, was an NCAA All-American and was the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association south region Women's Field Athlete of the Year.
During the outdoor season, Reese won the Commissioner's Trophy at the SEC Championships as she won the long jump and finished second in both the high jump and triple jump. In addition, she became just the third track and field athlete in school history to win back-to-back individual titles at the SEC Championships.
At the MidEast Regional, Reese set the meet record in the long jump with a mark of 21-10.75 and also posted the school record in the high jump with a height of 6-00.50. For her efforts, she was named to the All-MidEast Regional team. Days later, she won her second NCAA title in the long jump as she recorded a distance of 22-09.00.
She also set a new school record in the long jump at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a mark of 22-09.75 as she earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.
Reese was once again SEC Outdoor Female Field Athlete of the Year and was also selected as the National Women's Field Athlete of the Year by the USTFCCA.