Unread postby rainbowgirl28 » Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:57 am
USATF Release: Clay leads decathlon after three events
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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Clay leads decathlon after three events
BEIJING - Reigning silver medalist Bryan Clay and compatriot Trey Hardee got off to strong starts in the decathlon, sitting first and third after three events during Thursday morning competition.
At times competing in near-downpour conditions almost identical to those he faced when he won the 2005 world title in Helsinki, Clay (Glendora, Calif.) led the decathlon after three events. He won the 100 meters (10.44 - 970 points), and the long jump (7.78m/25-6.25 - 1005), then threw a personal-best 16.27m/53-4.5 (868) for second in the shot put, totaling 2,862 points. He was 145 points ahead of Oleksiy Kasyanov of Ukraine (2717).
Collegiate record holder Hardee (Austin, Texas) was in third place with 2,657 points. Hardee was second to Clay in both the 100 (10.52 - 970 points) and long jump (7.72m/25-3.25 - 990) before throwing the shot 13.49m/44-3.25. 2003 world champion Tom Pappas (Manhattan, Kan.) ran 11.12 in the 100 (834) and took one long jump (7.41m/24-3.75 - 913) before withdrawing with a foot injury.