Madeline Runs for the Hills in Rio

NSWIS track star Madeline Hills has created history in Rio, becoming one of the first Australians to qualify for the final of the 3000m steeplechase.

Hills and Genevieve LaCaze both progressed to Monday’s final. It is the first time an Australian will run for an Olympic medal in the event.

It was bittersweet for the NSWIS steeplechase contingent though with Victoria Mitchell finishing 10^th in her heat and missing a spot in the final.

Hills clocked a season-best 9:24.16 to finish fifth in her heat. It was enough to see her progress as one of the fastest qualifiers outside the top three in each heat.

It was a remarkable performance given she only returned to the sport in 2013 following a seven-year break. Earlier this year she won the Australian Championship.

Hills will also compete in the 5000m in Rio.

The NSWIS contingent continued to shine in the Olympic Stadium with Anneliese Rubie reaching the semi-finals of the women’s 400m.

Rubie progressed to the semis after finishing third in the opening heat in a season-best time of 51.92 to be among the fastest finishers outside of the automatic qualifiers.

“I had a goal of not panicking down the back straight because I know the Jamaican and Nigerian were going to start hard and then ease up at the end so I thought might catch them at the end in that last 50 and I was close, but it was still great fun out there,” Rubie said.

“I’m definitely in PB shape. If I just put the right race together I know I can drop something pretty big.

“I didn’t quite get there today, I think I cruised a little bit too much in the first half, but I’m still stoked to get a season’s best.”

It followed the day one results of NSWIS athletes Jenny Blundell who booked a spot in the 1500m semi-finals and Fabrice Lapierre who leaped into the long jump final.