Posted: April 7, 2006

Athletics: USATF News & Notes, Volume 7 Number 22

Hardee Dominates Decathlon

Fueled by victories in eight of the ten events, University of Texas senior Trey Hardee turned in an NCAA pending record decathlon performance of 8,465 points at the Texas Relays Thursday. Hardee's score topped the previous record of 8,463 points set by Tennessee's Tom Pappas in 1999.

Hardee's decathlon total is the current world leader, and it elevates him to #8 on the all-time list of top U.S. decathletes, just behind 1976 Olympic champion Bruce Jenner. His score of 8,465 points sets new school, facility and meet records.

It was also a massive improvement for Hardee, whose previous best score was 8,041 from the 2004 NCAA Championships where he finished second. He won the 2005 collegiate title with 7,881 points.

Hardee's ten-event total was originally announced as 8,462, one point shy of the collegiate record. "Any time a record is close to being broken, I always go back and verify the results," said meet official John Chaplin. "We re-read the photos from the running events. We found that in the 100 meters, Trey's time read 10.35. The pictures will be sent to USA Track and Field and the NCAA, and the records committee will give its final approval." The photo review of day one's 100-meter dash indicated Hardee completed the event in 10.35 seconds, rather than 10.36, thus, adding three points to Hardee's total, which surpasses the previous record.

Hardee set personal bests in seven of the ten events on his way to victory. (* = personal best)

Day 1
100 - 10.35 (+2.5w) - 1011 points * 
LJ - 7.70 (+3.0) - 985 *
SP - 14.45m - 756 *
HJ - 1.99m - 794 *
400 - 49.11 - 856
Day One 4,402

Day 2
110H - 13.83 - 997 *
DT - 48.24m - 834 
PV - 5.20m - 972 *
JT - 60.00m - 738 *
1,500 - 5:06.73 - 522
Day Two 4,063 

Taylor joins USATF's Events Department

Sharicia Taylor has joined the USATF national office staff in Indianapolis as Events Coordinator. She will coordinate certain event logistics at major track & field events such as: supervising compilation of entry booklets and other communications; managing staff and athlete housing; running the event office; and coordinating ancillary youth programs. Oddi first came to USATF in September 2005 serving as the Larry T. Ellis Fellow.

An Indiana native, Taylor is a 2000 graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Sports Marketing and Management. She then went back to Indiana University and earned a Masters in Sports Administration and Management in June 2005.

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