Texas A&M
Texas Relays
Otto currently second, Fitzpatrick fourth in Texas Relays multis
Mar 31, 2010 | Track and Field
March 31, 2010
AUSTIN - Opening day at the 83rd Texas Relays produced solid scores for Trinity Otto and Daphne Fitzpatrick through day one of the decathlon and heptathlon amid a hot day with gusting winds.
With 4,187 points Otto was just two points off his best ever score for the first day, which was set at the Big 12 Championships last season. He is seeking a good enough score to qualifying for the NCAA Championships in June.
"The number one thing is a score for NCAA qualifying," noted Otto. "I'm pretty happy with my current score. I'm ahead of where I was last year at this time (3,933 points). Without competing during the indoor season, I was doing a lot of events for the first time this season. So, I'm happy with my performance.
"Knowing this is my last decathlon at the Texas Relays, I want to have fun and enjoy myself."
Oregon's Ashton Eaton, the defending NCAA champion in the decathlon, holds the first-day lead with 4,494 points. Otto is second ahead of California's Michael Morrison, who has 4,041 points.
Otto finished second to Eaton in the first two events - 100 meters and long jump -- while topping the field of 21 decathletes in the shot put. Otto had the fourth best high jump and wrapped up day one with the third-best time in the 400.
"I'm glad to have competition in Ashton to push me," Otto said. "I was happiest with my high jump today, clearing 6-6 1/4 was a PR for me. I'm also pleased with my long jump of 24-1 3/4, since it was my first long jump of the season. The hurdles and pole vault should be key events for Thursday."
Otto started the day with a 10.64 (3.4 wind) in the 100 meters for 942 points, had a shot put of 45-5.25 and finished the day with a 49.59 in the 400 meters.
Fitzpatrick produced a first day score of 3,338 in her first Texas Relays heptathlon and is in fourth place. Bonnie Richardson, one of six freshman in the field, totaled 2,982 points and is 12th among a field of 22.
Another NCAA defending champion, Oregon's Brianne Theisen, is the day one leader in the heptathlon with a score of 3,651 points. Aisha Adams of Angelo State is second with a score of 3,485. New Mexico's Sandy Fortner has a tally of 3,374 for third place.
"It's been a great experience," noted Fitzpatrick of her first multi at the Texas Relays. "Since it's my first time here I'm a little more nervous than usual. I came out and competed hard.
"I'm pleased with the score, but still think I could have done better in some areas. I think I can pick up some points in the javelin on Thursday. If I come out strong tomorrow I may pick up some points in the long jump. Then I'll have to tough it out in the 800."
The high jump was a key event for Fitzpatrick, who cleared 5-8 1/2 and scored 903 points. She also ran the hurdles in 14.31 (3.3), had a 36-10 1/4 shot put and a 24.97 in the 200.
Richardson scored well in the 100 hurdles with a windy 14.84 (863 points) and a windy 200 of 25.31 (859). She also had a 5-1 1/4 high jump, and a 34-11 shot put.
In distance racing on the first evening Texas A&M had a fifth-place effort from Natosha Rogers in the women's 5,000 meters as she clocked 17:43.91 while Kasey McNorton placed 12th in 18:21.57.
Jimmy Welin placed seventh in the men's 5,000 with a clocking of 15:24.36.
Wes Caceres finished eighth in the 1,500 with a 3:59.90. In the men's 800 Eric Gosset (1:54.17) placed ninth as Joe Snelick (1:55.81) finished 15th. Kellie Trinkaus (2:24.39) placed 16th and 19th in the 800.
Players Mentioned
