April 19, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. - Missouri sophomore Nick Adcock (Kansas City, Mo. / Oak Park HS) claimed victory Thursday in the men's decathlon at the Kansas Relays, posting a personal best 7,329 point total in earning an NCAA-provisional qualifying mark that ranks in the NCAA's top 10 among marks entering the weekend. In addition, Adcock claimed the highest score in the meet since 1997. Tiger frosh Lars Rise was runner-up to Adcock by only 19 points in his first decathlon at Mizzou with a score of 7,310, also a top-10 mark among collegians this year.
After starting the second day of competition Thursday ahead of his personal-best pace, Adcock, along with Rise and the other competitors battled challenging gusts, unseasonably-low temperatures, and a pesky drizzle to cap their 10-event venture.
With a wind-aided 14.44 clocking in the 110-meter hurdles, Adcock started the second day on the right foot with a would-be PR. After the discus, Adcock's lead over teammate Rise narrowed as Rise marked a personal best 145 foot, 4 inch (44.30m) toss in the discus. The weather was a huge factor in the pole vault, the decathlon's eighth event. Despite the conditions, Rise cut the lead again with a near eight-inch all-time best with a 14-8 (4.47m) clearance.
Rise would take the lead after the javelin where he managed a throw of 168-6 (51.37m).
In the final event, the 1500-meter run, all competitors faced a steady rain and an impending thunderstorm. In a determining moment, Adcock clocked 4:36.17 to best his old PR by over a second in retaking the lead and the crown.
Junior Chris Rohr took second in the men's hammer throw with a personal best toss of 216-6 (65.98m), a mark that improves his status in the national top 10 in the event. Senior Jason Morris would take third at 202-1 (61.60m) while Tyler Dailey took fourth at 198-2 (60.40m).
After a thunderstorm and a lengthy delay, drenching rains greeted Thursday night's session. Senior Kasey Kimball prevailed in winning the unseeded section of the women's 1500-meter run at 4:41.41.
In the women's hammer throw that had to be suspended and ended under twilight, junior Krishna Lee took third with a season's best of 193-6 (58.99m), a mark worthy of improvement with in the nation's top 25.
During competition Friday, freshman Ryan Blackwell qualified for Saturday's finals of the 400-meter dash with a 48.80 clocking in winning his heat from the inside lane.
The men's 4x400-meter relay squad qualified for tomorrow's final with a 3:18.00 run. Mizzou's 4x100-women's team qualified as well for their final.
Tomorrow will wrap the 81st Kansas Relays. In addition, some middle-distance runners will compete tomorrow in the Arkansas Invitational.
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