March 23, 2011

BERKELEY - Behind a PR effort in the 100 meters, Cal's Kevin Kuechler stands in fifth place in the decathlon after the first day of competition at the Cal Multis at Edwards Stadium. The two-day meet provides an opportunity for athletes from across the country to post early-season multi-event scores.

A total of 55 athletes - 29 in the men's decathlon and 26 in the women's heptathlon - are taking part. Chris Randolph of Slo Wellness, who finished fourth at the USA Championships in 2009, leads after five events of the decathlon with 3,947 points, while Sharon Day, a 2008 U.S. Olympian in the high jump, is the top heptathlete with 3,594 points through four events.

Kuechler, who has accumulated 3,504 points, began with a time of 11.38 seconds in the 100, surpassing his previous best of 11.43 from last year. He followed up with efforts of 22-5.00 in the long jump, 38-5.00 in the shot put, 5-10.50 in the high jump and a time of 51.57 in the 400 meters.

Last year, Kuechler established a lifetime best at the Cal Multis with a final score of 6,638 points.

The only other Golden Bear competing for Cal is senior Mike Morrison, the 2010 NCAA runner-up, who is taking part in selected events as he prepares for his first attempt at a full decathlon in two weeks at the Texas Relays. On a cool day with on-and-off showers, Morrison ran 11.24 in the 100, posted a mark of 39-5.75 in the shot put and was timed in 50.27 in the 400.

The Cal Multis resume Thursday with the first events beginning at 8:30 a.m. Admission is free.

Cal Multis
Thursday, March 23 - Edwards Stadium

Complete Results

Cal Results (points earned in parentheses)
100 meters - 3. Mike Morrison 11.24 (808); 7. Kevin Kuechler 11.38 (778)

Long Jump - 4. Kevin Kuechler 22-5.00 (6.83m) (774)

Shot Put - 6. Mike Morrison 39-5.75 (12.03m) (608); 8. Kevin Kuechler 38-5.00 (11.71m) (589)

High Jump - 7. Kevin Kuechler 5-10.50 (1.79m) (619)

400 meters - 2. Mike Morrison 50.27 (802); 8. Kevin Kuechler 51.57 (744)

Day 1 Total: 5. Kevin Kuechler 3504