The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
USA Outdoor Championships
Hardee leads decathlon at USA Outdoor Championships
06.26.2014 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Longhorns advance six out of the first round in running events during Thursday’s action
2014 USATF OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
• When: Wednesday, June 25 - Sunday, June 29 - Meet Information | Meet Notes
• Where: Sacramento, Calif. (Hornet Stadium)
• Entries: Men/Women
• Live Results: Click here
• Broadcast/Web Stream: USATF.tv, NBC, NBC Sports Network and Universal Sports will provide coverage. Click here for the schedule
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With a strong opening day in the decathlon at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Trey Hardee is on pace to claim his second outdoor national title.
Hardee, the 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the decathlon, posted the top mark in three of the five events during Thursday's action at Hornet Stadium on the campus of Sacramento State and leads the field with 4,441 points.
He opened by clocking the top time – 10.38 seconds – in the 100 meters behind a 4.2 meters-per-second wind and never trailed.
Hardee, who won the decathlon at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships, matched a personal best with a clearance of 6 feet, 8 3/4 inches (2.05m) in the high jump, more than three inches better than the rest of the 14-man field. He ended the day by crossing the finish line in 48.02 in the 400 to expand his lead to an opening-day best 368 points.
Devin Dick of Kansas State is second with 4,073 and Wesley Bray third with 4,039.
The Longhorns also had nine other current and former athletes in action on the opening day of the four-day meet and six advanced out of the first round in running events.
All three entries in the women's 100 meters advanced from the first round to Friday's semifinal. Bianca Knight clocked 11.39 to win the first heat, Morolake Akinosun, who was runner-up in the 100 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, was second in her heat with a time of 11.48, and Alexandria Anderson captured heat No. 3 in 11.42.
Sanya Richards-Ross and Briana Nelson advanced from the first round to the semis of the 400 meters. Nelson finished second in the first of three heats in 51.39 and Richards-Ross was second in the third heat in 52.39.
Ashley Spencer and Kendall Baisden were also in the 400-meter field. Spencer, who reinjured a leg two weeks ago at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and was unable to finish that meet, warmed up but was held out of the race. Baisden suffered a false start in the second heat.
Leo Manzano, another Longhorn Olympic silver medalist, easily moved from the first round to the final of the 1,500 meters. He won the second of two heats in 3:42.01. Kyle Merber, who spent the 2012-13 season with the Longhorns, was edged out, finishing fifth in the first heat in 3:45.26. The top four finishers and next four best times advanced to Saturday's final.
Two of the Longhorns' 2014 NCAA champions will compete Friday. Kaitlin Petrillose won the pole vault at the NCAA indoor meet and will compete in that event. Marielle Hall will participate in the 5,000 meters, an event she won two weeks ago at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
TEXAS ENTRIES/RESULTS - USA Outdoor Championships
Sacramento, California • Hornet Stadium • All Times Central
Wednesday, June 25
Women
Shot Put - Qualifying: 1. Michelle Carter, 60-9.50 (18.53m)
Shot Put - Final: 1. Michelle Carter, 63-9.75 (19.45m)
Men
Shot Put - Qualifying: 17. Hayden Baillio, 61-1.25 (18.62m)
Thursday, June 26
Women
• 100 Meters - First Round: 4. Bianca Knight, 11.39q; 9. Alexandria Anderson, 11.42q; 11. Morolake Akinosun, 11.48q
• 400 Meters - First Round: 3. Briana Nelson, 51.39q; 9. Sanya Richards-Ross, 52.39q; -- Kendall Baisden, FS
Men
• 400 Meters - First Round: 23. Zack Bilderback, 47.63
• 1,500 Meters - First Round: 1. Leo Manzano, 3:42.01; 15. Kyle Merber, 3:45.26
• 100 Meters - Decathlon: 1. Trey Hardee, 10.38/w4.2 (1004)
• Long Jump - Decathlon: 4. Trey Hardee, 23-8.25/7.22m/w3.6 (866)
• Shot Put - Decathlon: 2. Trey Hardee, 50-5.50/15.38m (813)
• High Jump - Decathlon: 1. Trey Hardee, 6-8.75/2.05m (850)
• 400 Meters – Decathlon: 1. Trey Hardee, 48.02 (908)
• Decathlon (Five Events): 1. Trey Hardee, 4441
Friday, June 27
Women
• Pole Vault (7:50 p.m.): Kaitlin Petrillose
• 100 Meters - Semifinal (7:51 p.m.): Bianca Knight, Alexandria Anderson, Morolake Akinosun
• 400 Meters - Semifinal (9:35 p.m.): Briana Nelson, Sanya Richards-Ross
• 100 Meters - Final (10:43 p.m.):
• 5,000 Meters (11:05 p.m.): Marielle Hall
Men
• Decathlon (1:45 p.m.): Trey Hardee
Saturday, June 28
Women
• 200 Meters - First Round (2:20 p.m.): Bianca Knight
• 400 Meters - Final (3:05 p.m.):
Men
• 1,500 Meters - Final (4:14 p.m.): Leo Manzano
Sunday, June 29
Women
• 200 Meters - Semifinal (1:50 p.m.):
• High Jump (2:05 p.m.): Shanay Briscoe
• 200 Meters - Final (4:29 p.m.):
q – qualified to next round
