The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Patrick dominates Day 1 of USATF Jr. Championships
06.22.2017 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Longhorn decathletes highlight opening of national championship meets
USATF Championships
Meet Schedule | Live Results
Broadcast Info /
USATF Junior Championships
Meet Schedule | Live Results
Jamaican Championships
Meet Schedule | Live Results
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A handful of Texas Longhorns past and present began their quest to represent their country later this summer with the start of USATF Championships and the Jamaican National Championships.
Decathlon made up most of the day's action for the Longhorns with a trio of men in the senior competition and freshman George Patrick dominating the USATF Junior Championships after five events.
Patrick put together an impressive showing as he amassed nearly a 300-point lead after the first day of the decathlon. Patrick posted personal records in four of the five events and registered event wins in the first two disciplines of the competition.
His total through the first five events was 4,113 points with second place standing at 3,819. Patrick did not finish worse than fourth in any of the five events on Day 1 of the decathlon at the junior championship.
Patrick is vying for a spot on Team USA at the Pan American Junior Championships later this summer in Peru. A gold- or silver-medal performance on Friday would secure his spot on the team.
Two current Longhorns and one Lifetime Longhorn were in action in the senior decathlon as they are fighting for spots on Team USA to compete at the IAAF World Championships in London in August.
Trey Hardee had some of his best marks since 2012 through the first five events and he currently stands in second place after Day 1 with 4,306 points. He ran his fastest wind-legal time in the 100 meters to open the meet at 10.57 seconds.
Hardee is seeking his fourth USATF title and should he make Team USA and compete at the IAAF World Championship, he will look to win his third world title.
Big 12 champion and second-team All-American Steele Wasik finds himself in eighth place in the decathlon after the first day. He tallied 3,983 points through five events. His best performance of the day came in the high jump where he cleared 1.98 meters (6-6.00) to tie for 3rd in the field.
The first preliminary heat of the day for a Longhorn came by way of the women's 800 meters with alumna Kendra Chambers grabbing the first at-large spot. Chambers clocked in at 2:02.89 to post the No. 5 time overall in the first round of the 800 meters. She will run again on Friday night in the semifinals.
Fellow Lifetime Longhorn Morolake Akinosun advanced to the semifinals of the 100 meters with her time of 10.98 seconds. She won her heat easily to get an automatic spot to the next round and her time ranked No. 2 in the prelims.
Sophomore Teahna Daniels was unable to join Akinosun in advancing to the semifinals. She crossed the line in 11.18 seconds to tie for 17th place. She was just .01 from advancing to the next round in what was a series of tightly contested preliminary heats.
Meanwhile at the Jamaican National Championships, one Longhorn was competing in the men's 100 meters as well. Senoj-Jay Givans clocked 10.27 to finish second in his heat and get an automatic spot to the semifinals. His time ranked seventh overall.
A trio of women ran the 400 meters with ties to Texas. Lifetime Longhorn and 2016 Olympic gold medalist in the 4x400, Courtney Okolo cruised to a win in her heat to advance to the semifinals with her time of 50.97. She had the No. 2 time of the prelims.
Sophomore Zola Golden ran a new personal best time 52.02 in order to advance to the semifinals as well. She finished fifth in her heat but was able to grab one of the four at-large spots to the next round.
Kendall Baisden, who helped Texas win multiple NCAA titles in the 4x400 during her two years with the Longhorns, finished 23rd in the 400 meters with her time of 54.22 seconds.
One athlete was in action in field events on Thursday in Sacramento. Freshmen Elena Bruckner finished ninth in the junior women's discus. She also will compete in the junior women's shot put at the USATF meet.
Texas had some runners competing in distance events late Thursday night at the USATF Championships. Those results were not available as of press time.
Action at the USATF Championships and Jamaican National Championships continue on Friday and run through Sunday.
Action from the USATF Championships will be broadcast by NBC on a number of platforms. Friday action will be provided by NBC Sports Gold, an online subscription option with exclusive track & field coverage. NBC Sports Network will have some live coverage on TV on Friday as well. NBC Sports Gold will again have live online action on Saturday and Sunday with NBC providing the live TV options. Check your local listings for times.
Players Mentioned
