Saturday, June 23, 2001

[ TRACK AND FIELD ]

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Clay finishes third
in decathlon

The Castle High graduate
qualifies for 3 international meets

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From staff and wire reports

EUGENE, Ore. >> Kaneohe's Bryan Clay knew where he stood. He was first with one event to go.

"They were announcing the standings after each event,'' Clay said in a telephone call to the Star-Bulletin last night. "I can't say that I didn't think that I could win it, but I was concentrating on just getting 7,981 points.''

Clay did better than that. He broke the 8,000-point mark for the first time in his decathlon career yesterday, scoring 8,169 in finishing third at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.

Clay, an incoming junior at Azusa Pacific, also qualified for three competitions this summer: The World Decathlon Championships next month; the IAAF World Outdoor Championships, Aug. 3-12, in Edmonton, Canada; and the World University Games, which begin Aug. 27, in Beijing.

Clay had personal bests yesterday in the discus (153 feet, 3 inches), 1,500 meters (4 minutes and 38.93 seconds) and total points. His previous best point total was 7,980, set at April Mt. SAC Relays, which was the best mark in the world this season.

On Friday, Clay had three personal bests in placing second after five events. He won the first two events, the 100 meters in 10.5 seconds and the long jump at 24-9; he finished fourth in the 400 meters in 48.81 seconds.

Yesterday, the Castle High graduate was leading with 7,472 points heading into the final event, the 1,500 meters. However, veteran Kip Janvrin turned in his patented strong finish, bursting down the final straightaway to beat Phil McMullen by more than two seconds at 4:14.96; Clay was fourth in 4:38.93.

Janvrin finished with 8,241 points to 8,220 for McMullen. The 35-year-old Janvrin, competing in his 75th multi-event competition, became the oldest national champion, winning for a world record 33rd time.

"Kip is known for his strong finish,'' said Clay. "He ran a great race.

"I'm tired right now but very happy with my performance. I just thank God and all my coaches, from junior high to high school to college. Without them, this wouldn't have been possible. There was no way I could do this without God's timing, health and strength.''

Janvrin, who turns 36 on July 8, surpassed the 8,000-point mark for the 26th time, an American record for the two-day, 10-event competition.