Cliff Miller in Sixth Place in Decathlon at Drake Relays
4/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
April 22, 2009
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DES MOINES, Iowa - Michigan State track & field freshman Cliff Miller (Ann Arbor, Mich.) wrapped up day one of the decathlon at the Drake Relays in sixth place after the first five events. Miller compiled 3,629 points and is currently the only underclassmen to rank in the top 10 in the event. His 3,629 points also put him on pace to break Paul Terek's MSU freshman decathlon record of 6,609, set back in 1998. He is also on pace to set an NCAA provisional qualifying mark in his first ever decathlon performance.
"It is his first time in the decathlon as a true freshman and he showed great poise and he had a very good day one," MSU multi-event coach Chris Bostwick said. "He started the day in 12th overall after the first event, but he battled back and he set a personal record in the 400m, the final event of the day, giving him great momentum heading into day two."
Miller started the day by clocking in at 11.57 in the 100m dash, earning him 738 points and placing him 12th overall. Miller then earned 639 points in the long jump after posting a leap of 6.24m (20-5 ¾), moving him into ninth place in the competition.
Miller then recorded top-five finishes in the next two events, the shot put and high jump, moving him up the standings. After tossing 12.45m (40-10 ¼) in the shot put, Miller took home fourth place in that event, earning 634 points. He followed that with leap of 2.05m (6-8 ¾) in the high jump, earning him 850 points and second place in the event. Both marks just missed personal-bests.
Miller concluded the day by setting a personal-best time of 51.03 in the 400m dash, earning 768 points and giving him great momentum heading into day two of competition which starts tomorrow at 9 a.m. ET.
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