The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Big 12 Outdoor Championships
Men's Track and Field's Kilmartin breaks 4,000 points on first day of decathlon at Big 12 Outdoors
05.16.2008 | Track & Field / Cross Country m, Track & Field / Cross Country
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BOULDER, Colo. -- Texas senior Donovan Kilmartin tallied 4,013 points and stands in fourth place after the first day of the decathlon at the Big 12 Championships in Boulder, Colo. In addition, senior John Rouse placed sixth in the hammer throw to earn three points for the Horns.
"It was a great first day," said Texas head coach Bubba Thornton. "I think both Donovan and John set the tone for the rest of the team and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do tomorrow and Sunday."
After not securing a mark yet this outdoor season, Kilmartin, who won the Big 12 decathlon in 2006, opened by posting a 10.97 in the 100 meters for 867 points. He followed that up with a 7.29 meters (23-11) in the long jump for 883 points. After notching a 13.49 meters (44-3 1/4) to earn 697 points in the shot put, Kilmartin cleared 2.04 meters (6-9 1/2) in the high jump, finishing second in the event and earning 840 points. He finished the day by running a 51.98 in the 400 meters to add 726 points to his total. In addition to Kilmartin, sophomore Andrew Webb tallied 3,117 points on the first day of the decathlon and sits in 12th place.
Rouse earned the second All-Big 12 honor of his career with the sixth-place finish. After qualifying for the finals in fourth place, Rouse was bumped two spots over the final three throws and finished with a mark of 59.45 meters (195-0), his second-best throw of the season, to earn three points.
In the 10,000 meters, redshirt freshman Habben Berhane placed 10th in a time of 31:46.13, while fellow redshirt freshman Brandon Birdsong used a 32:48.44 to finish 16th.
Action for Texas on the second day of the Big 12 Championships will kick off at 11 a.m. Central with the second half of the decathlon. Events on the track will start with the prelims of the 1,500 meters at 5 p.m. Central.
