The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Wilson wins his section of the 3,000-meter steeplechase on first day of Texas Relays
04.06.2005 | Track & Field / Cross Country m, Track & Field / Cross Country
AUSTIN, Texas -- Junior Trey Hardee (Birmingham, Ala.) won two of the decathlon's first five events, while sophomore Donovan Kilmartin (Eagle, Idaho) won one event and tied for first in another as Texas opened competition at the 78th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. The Longhorns also won two events on the day with sophomore Ryan Wilson (Wichita, Kan.) taking his section of the 3,000-meter Steeplechase and sophomore Carlee Clark (Bozeman, Mont.) winning her section of the 1,500 meters.
Hardee burst into the decathlon's lead after running a 10.61 in the 100 meters to score 949 points. But, Kilmartin came right back to take the long jump (23-7.50) and score 862 points, while Hardee finished second with a leap of 23-2.75. In the third event of the day, the shot put, Kilmartin ended up third with a throw of 45-9, scoring 725 points, while Hardee scored 676 points with a put of 43-1.75.
The competitors battled strong winds in the fourth event, the high jump, but Kilmartin managed to tie for first with Connecticut's Will Thomas at 6-9.50 (868 points). Hardee scored 813 points with a clearance of 6-7. Hardee won his second event of the day with a 49.11 in the 400 meters, scoring 856 points. Kilmartin scored 747 points with a time of 51.49.
"Both guys need to come out strong tomorrow in the 110-meter hurdles," said Texas head coach Bubba Thornton. "I don't want them worrying about how many points they need in the next event because that leads to mistakes. If they come out and get off to a good start, it could be a great battle by the end of the day."
Wilson was competing in only his third race as a Longhorn and won the University/College Section B 3,000-meter Steeplechase with a time of 9:20.92. Wilson spent most of the race sitting comfortably in the pack, but took the lead heading into the sixth of seven and a half laps. From there, he cruised to the victory by almost eight seconds.
"It was a great race for Ryan," added Thornton. "He's only raced a couple of times over the past year and a half, so it was nice for him to come out and get a win."
Clark broke her personal best in the 1,500 meters by almost six seconds, crossing the finish line in 4:35.06. Clark sat in the lead pack up until there were 150 meters left, then she kicked it into overdrive to take the victory.
"I think she ran a very smart race today, considering the conditions," said Texas assistant coach Len Klepack. "It will be good for her to have put in the extra work when it comes to the 800 meters and I think this is a good sign for the rest of the season."
In the men's 1,500 meters, Texas State's James Ortiz edged junior John Arnold (Katy, Texas) by 0.3 seconds, while freshman Jake Morse (Arlington, Texas) placed third with a time of 3:53.09.
Former UT standout Ben Dawson was victorious in the men's 10,000 meters finishing in 30:19.54.
Second-day action will get underway on Thursday, April 7 at 11 a.m. (Central) with the sixth event of the decathlon, the 110-meter hurdles. Also scheduled for Thursday are the 4x800-meter relays (Women: 4 p.m., Men: 4:15 p.m.) and the 5,000 meter runs (Women: 5:30 p.m., Men: 5:55 p.m.).
Texas Men's Results
1,500 Meters
2. John Arnold, 3:52.21
3. Jake Morse, 3:53.09
3,000-Meter Steeplechase
1. Ryan Wilson, 9:20.92
Decathlon (After Five Events)
1. Trey Hardee, 4,127 points
2. Donovan Kilmartin, 4,052 points
100 Meters
1. Trey Hardee, 10.61 (949 points)
6. Donovan Kilmartin, 11.05 (850 points)
Long Jump
1. Donovan Kilmartin, 23-7.50 (7.20m) (862 points)
2. Trey Hardee, 23-2.75 (7.08m) (833 points)
Shot Put
3. Donovan Kilmartin, 45-9 (13.94m) (725 points)
5. Trey Hardee, 43-1.75 (13.15m) (676 points)
High Jump
T1. Donovan Kilmartin, 6-9.50 (2.07m) (868 points)
3. Trey Hardee, 6-7 (2.01m) (813 points)
400 Meters
1. Trey Hardee, 49.11 (856 points)
13. Donovan Kilmartin, 51.49 (747 points)
Texas Women's Results
1,500 Meters
1. Carlee Clark, 4:35.06 (personal best)
5. Temeka Kincy, 4:41.17 (personal best)
10,000 Meters
20. Lige Anna Stewardson, 42:26.91
21. Monica Hayes, 42:29.87