Neville earns Bronze in 400-meter dash

Former Hoosier star David Neville dove across the finish line to secure third place and earn the bronze medal in the 400-meter dash Thursday night in Beijing.

Racing on a wet track Neville powered down the final straight away and dove across the finish line, with his chin hitting the ground. Neville completed the race in 44.80 seconds.

The race for gold came down to Americans Jeremy Wariner, who won gold in Athens four years ago, and LaShawn Merritt, who beat Wariner at the Olympic Trials last month.

Merritt upset Wariner to take the gold, and Neville completed the second straight U.S. sweep of the event.

Neville’s accomplishment also represents the first individual medal for an IU athlete since hurdler Willie May in 1960.

Neville is not done yet, as he will now team up with both Merritt and Wariner in the 4X400-meter dash later this week, an event in which the U.S. team is the favorite.