University of Oregon
Pac-10 Heptathlon/Decathlon
Eaton, Theisen Set First Day PR?s to lead Pac-10 Combined Events
05/10/09 | Track and Field
EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon's Ashton Eaton and Brianne Theisen used first day personal bests to take the lead of the Pacific-10 Conference decathlon and heptathlon, respectively, Saturday afternoon at Historic Hayward Field.
Eaton led the decathlon competition with 4,309 points, followed by the Ducks' Aaron McVein with 3,784 points. Jeremy Taiwo of Washington was third with 3,730 points, followed by Kyle Mills-Bunje of California (3,641) and Marshall Ackley of Oregon (3,636).
Both McVein and Ackley notched first-day PR's.
The day started well for the Ducks with all three decathletes recording personal bests in the 100 meters.
Eaton won the race in 10.49 seconds. That was his best in a combined events competition, and matched his overall PR set during the UCLA dual meet last month.
McVein was second in the 100 in 11.01, while Ackley was third in 11.03.
Eaton won every event on Saturday, all of which were just off his personal records. He won the long jump with a leap of 24-5.5 and claimed a surprising victory in the shot put with a throw of 41-5.25. He finished the day off with a win in the 400 meters, clocking 47.12.
"It's a great start," said the junior from Bend, Ore. "I feel so good and solid. Shot put felt especially good today. My performance makes me feel confident, but tomorrow is a new day.
"I am very happy with all my teammates," Eaton said. "Everyone is doing so well. It's a multi-heaven. I just take it as another opportunity to increase my experience."
McVein scored a PR in the long jump with an effort of 22-2.5, which was the third-best mark on the day. The junior from Eugene, Ore., also ran a PR in the 400 meters at 51.05. He just missed a PR in the shot put with a throw of 39-9.75.
"It was a pleasure to be out here after two years in the shadows," said McVein. "I PR'd so it turned out to be a good day."
Ackley had a PR in the long jump with a mark of 21-10, which was good for fifth, and was second in the 400 meters with a PR of 48.65. The junior Nyssa, Ore., also set a decathlon best in the shot put with a heave of 38-9.
On the women's side, Theisen nearly went four-for-four in personal bests in taking the first day lead with 3,584 points. Nia Ali of USC was in close pursuit with 3,562 points, followed by Oregon's Kalindra McFadden with 3,424 points, UCLA's Ryann Krais with 3,387 points and Shana Woods of USC with 3,312 points. The Ducks' Erin Funkhouser was 11th with 2,696 points.
Theisen ran 13.86 in the 100 meter hurdles, which was not only a PR, but also ranked as the fifth-fastest 100 meters in school history. It was also an NCAA regional qualifying mark, Oregon's 70th of the 2009 season.
The Humboldt, Sask., native won the high jump with a clearance of 5-10. That was just a half inch off her personal best. She then set a PR in the shot put with a throw of 39-0.25, which was sixth overall. Theisen finished her day with a career mark that surprised her: 24.02 in the 200 meters, which was the second-fastest of the heptathletes.
"I had three PR's today and didn't really expect that," said Theisen. "I'm still a little stunned by my PR in the 200. I looked up at the scoreboard and thought there's no way that was my time. I'm on a high right now and that will carry me into tomorrow."
McFadden also had three personal bests on Saturday. The senior from Bozeman, Mont., went under 25 seconds in the 200 meters for the first time in her career, finishing third in 24.62. McFadden also notched a PR in the 100 hurdles, finishing in a wind-aided 13.95. She was second in the shot put with a throw of 41-10, which represented a heptathlon best.
"Today was a huge breakthrough," said McFadden. "I'm pretty happy about getting a PR in the hurdles and the 200. It was just a great first day."
Funkhouser tied her PR with a clearance of 5-1.75 in the high jump and set a PR in the 200 meters, running 26.45.
"It's a terrific day so far, and I am very happy with how everyone competed," said Oregon associate head coach Dan Steele. "They all seem to be doing the right thing and I am optimistic. Our mission statement is the same for tomorrow: taking one event at the time. Everyone needs to get a good night's sleep and rest tonight and come out tomorrow fresh."
The Pac-10 combined events continue on Sunday beginning at noon. Admission is free.
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