Multi-Event Results Day One

UC Santa Barbara senior Derek Masterson and Hawai’i senior Samantha Balentine emerged as the leaders in the decathlon and heptathlon competitions after day one of the multi-events portion of the 2013 Big West Track and Field Championships at Cal State Northridge.

However, several competitors are within range of overtaking the two leaders when day two resumes on Saturday.

Masterson utilized first-place finishes in the long jump and shot put to accumulate 3,756 points, which gave him a slim lead over teammate and fellow senior Mikael Powers.  Powers won the 400 meters, tied for first in the high jump and finished second in the 100 meters to collect 3,728 points.

All 11 decathlon entrants scored over 3,000 points on day one.  Long Beach State senior Garrett Demirjian and Cal State Northridge senior Derrick Harris are chasing the two UCSB leaders with 3,689 and 3,684 points, respectively.  Cal Poly teammates Dominic Byrne (3,577) and Devin Bennett (3,487) are also in contention.

Heptathlon participants should be braced for a challenge on Saturday as only 235 points separate first from fourth place.  Balentine assumed the day one lead in part to a great performance in the high jump, clearing 6-00 (1.83m) to pick up 1,016 points in the event.

UC Riverside senior Jazmine Lewis is in second place with 3,010 points.  Long Beach State junior Taylor Jackson and Cal State Northridge junior Stephanie Hicks lurk right behind with 3,003 and 3,000 points, respectively.  Hicks ran a 14.44 in the  100 hurdles to pick up first-place points, while Jackson won the 200 meters with a time of 25.05.

Action resumes Saturday at 11:00 a.m. with decathlon events, beginning with the 110 meter hurdles and followed by the discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500 meters.  The heptathlon begins at 1:00 p.m. with the long jump.  The javelin and 800 meters will also be contested.

Live results can be accessed at flashwest.com.