Daniels pacing the NCAA decathlon field
Central Dutch Athletics
LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN — New personal bests in three of five events has Central College’s Will Daniels (sophomore, Geneseo, Ill.) in first place in the men’s decathlon after the first day of competition at the NCAA Division III outdoor track and field championships Thursday.
Seniors Mark Fairley (Dubuque) and Evie Kammeyer (Urbandale) also ran in preliminary heats of the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Fairley qualified for Saturday morning’s men’s final in a time of 9:23.06. Kammeyer did not qualify for the women’s final after running a time of 11:19.92.
Daniels has a total of 3,815 points after day one and he is 173 points clear of second place. He won the opening event, the 100-meter dash, in a time of 11.32 seconds. He also cleared 6 feet, 11 inches in the high jump, which was the best in the 20-man field and tied for No. 4 in program history.
In the shot put, Daniels increased his personal best by 18 inches to 40 feet, 2.75 inches and finished third. He also had a third-place effort in the long jump (22-5.75) and ran his fastest 400-meter dash (52.16 seconds).
“It was a great first day for Will,” coach Joe Dunham said. “He was really locked in for every event. Tomorrow is going to be tough. It’s going to get tight towards the end so he’ll need another good day.”
Entering the weekend with the top-seed time, Fairley had the 11th-fastest qualifying time in the prelims Thursday. He took third in the first heat while Polo Burgette (DePauw University) ran the best preliminary time (9:18.46) out of the same heat.
“He did what he needed to do to get in the final,” Dunham said. “His experience at the national meet showed. He ran within himself and was constantly worried about being in the right position. He should hopefully be feeling good Saturday for the final and make a run at winning the race.”
Entering as the 20th fastest runner, Kammeyer outperformed that slot by finishing 18th. Kayla Weland of Whitworth University (Wash.) had the top qualifying time of 10:41.12
“For her to be at this meet is a huge tribute to her work ethic and resolve to be the best she can be. “A year ago she was going through some health things and now she’s at the national meet. I’m really proud of her and she ran with a lot of courage today.”
Daniels will continue the decathlon at 10 a.m. Friday morning while Ryan Kruse (senior, St. Clair, Minn.) will compete in the javelin throw at 11 a.m.
