Marshall Dill

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Medal record
Competitor for Flag of the United States United States
Men's Athletics
Pan American Games
Silver Cali, Colombia 1971 200 meters

Born in 1953, Marshall Dill is a native of Detroit and a 1971 graduate of Northern High School; Dill enjoyed a stellar career as one of the most successful interscholastic track and field athletes in United States history. Arguably, 1971 was nothing less than a phenomenal year for Marshall Dill; by season's end his laurels included:

  • Voted Track and Field News U.S. Athlete of the Year
  • Ranked 4th in the World at 200 meters (:20.39 seconds)
  • Ranked 5th in the World at 100 meters (:10.10 seconds)
  • Established U.S. High School Record at 100 meters and 200 meters
  • Won three Michigan high school titles; at 100 yards, 220 yards, and as a member of Northern High School's 880 yard relay team
  • Won Golden West Meet of Champions at 220 yards
  • Placed 4th in 220 yard dash at U.S. AAU Championships
  • Won silver medal in 200 meter dash at the Pan American Games

Of particular note is Marshall Dill's winning time in the 220 yard dash at the 1971 Michigan state championships (converted to :20.5 seconds for 200 meters) - a mark that still stands as the Michigan high school record.

After accepting an athletic scholarship to Michigan State University, Marshall Dill picked up right where he left off in high school; winning a total of eleven indoor and outdoor Big Ten Conference titles in the sprint and relay events - including four consecutive conference championships in the outdoor 220 yard dash. In 1972, Marshall Dill led Michigan State to Big Ten Team Championships in both indoor and outdoor track; that same year, MSU finished second (by one point) to the University of Southern California at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

A three-time All-American for the Spartans, Dill's self proclaimed career pinnacle was winning the 1973 NCAA outdoor title at 200 meters; track and field aficionados would argue Marshall Dill's greatest accomplishment to be the World Record he set while running the indoor 300 yard dash in 1973. As fitting tribute to his considerable accolades and contributions, Marshall Dill was honored with induction to the Michigan State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.

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