Cepeda, Clark Earn All-American Honors in Decathlon

Thursday, June 12

Des Moines, Iowa

All Day

University of Northern Iowa

NCAA Outdoor Championships

Cepeda, Clark Earn All-American Honors in Decathlon

6/12/2008 8:00:00 AM | Track and Field

By: UNI Athletics Communications

June 12, 2008

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DES MOINES, Iowa - University of Northern Iowa senior Mat Clark finished 10th and earned All-American honors as one of the top-eight American-born athletes. This is Clark's second All-American decathlon honor as he earned the distinction in the 2008 NCAA Indoor Championships.

Clark sat in 14th place heading into the final event before jumping four places with the fastest 1500 meter time, 4:17.31, which earned 830 points to propel him into 10th place.

"My first four events today were really a struggle," Clark said. "I only had one throw in the javelin and that was because of my shoulder, but there was nothing I could do about it. I know I can throw better, but I just had to work through it today."

Cepeda finished the 1500 meter run with a time of 4:44.01 giving him 655 points and helped seal his sixth place finish.

"I really had to fight my way back today," Cepada said. "My body wasn't really cooperating with me in the pole vault, but after I got over the first bar and got the adrenaline pumping, that was all I needed."

In the opening decathlon event Friday, Cepeda clocked in with the seventh fastest 110 meter hurdle time with a 14.65 race. Fellow decathlon competitor Mat Clark finished with a time of 15.73.

In the discus competition, Cepeda threw 137-08 while Clark heaved 121-09 to keep a steady pace in the decathlon race. Tennessee's Jangy Addy had the best discus throw, tossing 154-05.

Cepeda was able to gain ground in the pole vault competition, clearing 16-8 ¾. Florida State's Gonzalo Barriolhet was the lone competitor to top Cepeda's jump, clearing 17-0. Clark also gave a solid effort in the pole vault, giving a personal-best effort, clearing 14-05 1/4.

Oregon's Ashton Eaton took the top spot in the decathlon, earning 8,055 total points.

After advancing to the finals in the discus yesterday, senior Rachel Jansen earned a spot in the finals of the shot put with a heave of 54-06 ¾. Jansen recorded the third best throw, with Arizona State's Jessica Pressley taking the top spot with a toss of 57-03 ¾.

2008 800 meter NCAA Indoor Champion Tyler Mulder solidified his spot in the 800 meter finals by finishing second in his heat with a time of 1:48.45. Oregon's Andrew Wheating clocked the fastest semifinal time, running a 1:47.15.

A strong second leg by Cory Goos, Mulder and Ryan Grenko recorded the sixth fastest semifinal time. Texas A&M came in with the fastest semifinal time, clocking in at 3:04.17.

Sophomore Dorian Ulrey earned a place in the 1500 meter finals after his 3:43.10 semifinal run. Ulrey clocked in the eighth fastest 1500 time, with Leonel Manzano of Texas clocking the fastest time at 3:41.70.

UNI will continue competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines tomorrow with Dorian Ulrey (1500 meters), Ehi Oamen (High Jump), Rachel Jansen (Discus).