Meanwhile, Cal State L.A. senior Desi Burt put together the best first day of his young career, scoring 4,076 points to take the early lead in the Mt. SAC Relays Decathlon. Burt holds a slim 55-point lead over Florida’s Mike Morrison, who is second with 4,021 points.
Nicholas Garza grabbed the lead in the California Invitational Decathlon after the second event – the long jump – and maintained his lead throughout the first day, finishing with 3,905 points. The 24-year old Houston native won the long jump (23’ 1¼”), high jump (6’ 6¼”) and 400 meters (48.86) to fashion an impressive 333-point lead over Reid Gustavson of the University of British Columbia, who is second with 3,572 points.
Azusa Pacific’s David Pichler record a first-day best of 3,509 points to land in fifth place, followed closely by teammate Casey Stevick, the freshman who notched 3,504 points.
Notre Dame’s Alyssa Hassan, the U.S. junior pentathlon record holder, is in first place in the California Invitational Heptathlon with 3,443 points after the first 4 events of competition. She won the 100-meter hurdles (13.82) out of the gate and used strong performances in the high jump (5’ 8½”), shot put (winning 40’ 9¾”) and 200 meters (25.45) to cruise out to a commanding lead. Amanda Twigg is second with 3,057 points.
Day 2 of the of the California Invitational/Mt. SAC Relays Heptathlon/Decathlon begins at 9 a.m., Thursday (April 17).
