Lazas in ninth in decathlon at Olympic Trials

EUGENE, Ore. – In his debut appearance at the USA Olympic Track and Field Trials, Kevin Lazas finds himself in ninth place after day one of the decathlon. The Razorback school-record holder posted a score of 3,972 points through the first five events of the two-day competition. Lazas is currently second among collegiate entries in the decathlon.

“I think my first day went pretty good,” Lazas said. “I’m really excited to be out here competing with these professional guys. Going into tomorrow, I know I’m ready to run a fast hurdle race. At (the NCAA Championships), I think it was the best I’ve run in the hurdles so if I can come out and start off fast tomorrow, I’ll be in position to keep it rolling through the rest of the day.”

Lazas began the day with a time of 11.10 in the 100 meters, good for 838 points. He followed with a 7.44m/24-5 performance in the long jump, the second-best long jump of his career. After a shot put effort of 13.95m/45-9.25, Lazas moved into fifth place in the overall standings through three events.

He maintained his fifth-place spot after the high jump in which he had a final clearance of 1.93m/6-4, adding 740 points to his score. Running in the first heat of three, Lazas closed out his day with a time of 51.44 at 400 meters to add 749 points to his day-one total. A majority of the decathlon was contested under rainy conditions at Hayward Field.

Former Razorbacks James Strang and Mychael Stewart were also in action Friday at the Olympic Trials. Competing in the final of the 10,000 meters, Strang finished in 21st place with a time of 29:09.77. Stewart competed in the qualifying round of the long jump and finished 20th overall with a day’s best mark of 7.44m/24-5. He did not qualifying for the event final.

Day two of the decathlon begins Saturday at 11:30 a.m. (CT) and will feature competition in the 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500 meters, respectively. In former Razorback action, Tyson Gay will run in the first round of the 100 meters.

For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Friday Results
Decathlon (day one)
9. Kevin Lazas – 3,972 points
    11. 100m – 11.10 (838 points)
    4. Long jump – 7.44m/24-5 (920 points)
    7. Shot put – 13.95m/45-9.25 (725 points)
    9. High jump – 1.93m/6-4 (740 points)
    15. 400m – 51.44 (749 points)

Former Razorbacks
10,000m (final)
21. James Strang – 29:09.77

Long jump (qualifying)
20. Mychael Stewart – 7.44m/24-5