Fresno State Athletics
Strong Opening Day for Decathletes
5/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
May 12, 2010
Wednesday's Results
Live Results
FRESNO, Calif. - David Deal and Matt Bushnell opened the WAC Championships in impressive style for Fresno State Wednesday as the outdoor championships began with the decathlon in Ruston, La.
"Matt and David are getting us off to a good start, really setting the tone for the rest of the team," said head coach Scott Winsor. "These guys are getting out there and really competing well for us."
With half of the decathlon complete, Bushnell and Deal are within striking distance of the top spot. Bushnell sits in third place with 3,493 points. Deal scored 3,437 points for fourth place with five events still left.
Bushnell, who could not compete most of the season due to injury, shot out of the blocks early. The junior took first in the 100-meter dash with a career-best time of 10.92 to earn 878 points. In the second event, the long jump, Bushnell posted a season-best leap of 21-6.25 (6.56m) to add 711 points to his total. He picked up another first-place finish with a season-best throw in the shot put. Bushnell marked a 39-10.75 (12.16m) for 616 points.
He cleared 5-10.75 (1.80m), tying his personal-best in the high jump and scoring 627 points in the fourth event. Bushnell rounded out the day with a time of 53.48 in the 400 for 661 points.
"Matt hasn't been able to train and our goal was just to get him here and get him through it," said Winsor. "Matt has done a heck of a job today; he went out there and really competed. He had great performances today, especially considering the injuries he has dealt with this year. I expect him to go out there tomorrow and give it everything he's got."
Deal also posted a strong performance on Day 1. The junior marked three career-bests Wednesday, including a personal-best time of 11.34 in the 100 to score 786 points in the first event. Deal bettered his career-best long jump mark with a leap of 22-11 (6.98m) for second in the event and 809 points. He continued his improvement in the shot put, marking a throw of 34-4.25 (10.47m) to pick up 514 points.
 David Deal sccored three career-best marks Wednesday.  | |
Deal rounded out the day, clearing 5-8.5 (1.74m) in the high jump for 577 points and then clocking a 51.41 in the 400 for 751 points.
"David had a really good day today," said Winsor. "And his best day is Day 2 so things look good for him going into Thursday."
The decathlon begins at 11 a.m. PT with the sixth event of the men's decathlon, the 110-meter hurdles.
"Both of our guys went out there and did very, very well today," said Winsor. "They're taking it event by event, which is what you have to do in the decathlon. They're in the hunt going into Day 2 and they are going to give it everything they have."
"We Are Your Team!" Follow the Bulldogs live at the 2010 WAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships here.
