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The four day USATF National Championships begin today, and two Owls are in action: Charlie Card-Childers jn Day 1 of the Decathlon, and Michelle Fokam in the Triple Jump.

After 3 events in the Decathlon, Charlie Card-Childers is in 13th place (7th among collegians) with 2192 points. He should move up after event #4 - the high jump is his best event (although his javelin is pretty good, as well).

Go HERE for LIVE RESULTS .

(06-21-2018 03:41 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote: [ -> ]After 3 events in the Decathlon, Charlie Card-Childers is in 13th place (7th among collegians) with 2192 points. He should move up after event #4 - the high jump is his best event (although his javelin is pretty good, as well).

He had the 7th best high jump (1.90 meters, 714 points) and moved up to 11th place.

Charlie should do 1.90 in his sleep. For those wondering, 2 meters is 6' 6¾" which should be no challenge.

In the Triple Jump, Michelle fouls on her first attempt.

(06-21-2018 05:28 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote: [ -> ]Charlie should do 1.90 in his sleep. For those wondering, 2 meters is 6' 6¾" which should be no challenge.

He passed to 1.90 ... and made it on his first attempt.

Then he passed 1.93 ... and missed all three attempts at 1.96.

Bummer.

Michelle finished in 13th with a best of 12.46 meters (40' 10"). A great experience, and she should have two really good seasons ahead of her as an Owl.

Charlie finished Day 1 in 9th overall with 3624 points. He moved up 2 spots when Steven Bastien (Unattached) and Alex Bloom (University of Cincinnati) were disqualified. I'm trying to get the story on that.

(06-21-2018 07:59 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote: [ -> ]Charlie finished Day 1 in 9th overall with 3624 points. He moved up 2 spots when Steven Bastien (Unattached) and Alex Bloom (University of Cincinnati) were disqualified. I'm trying to get the story on that.

Running out of their lanes - apparently in heavy rain.

In the women's javelin, Ari Ince finished 3rd with a best of 55.97 meters (183' 7").

After event 6 (110 meter hurdles), Charlie Card-Childers stays in 9th place with 4433 points.

The athletes now move to the discus throw.

(06-22-2018 11:51 AM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote: [ -> ]After event 6 (110 meter hurdles), Charlie Card-Childers stays in 9th place with 4433 points.

The athletes now move to the discus throw.

Charlie finishes 10th in the discuss (38.42 meters -- 663 points -- on his 2nd throw; fouls on the other two). He's still in 9th place overall (5066, 147 out of 8th), but Thomas FitzSimons has moved up to within 3 points.

Now for the dreaded pole vault. If he can hold his own here, Charlie should gain some ground in event 9 (javelin throw).

(06-22-2018 01:45 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote: [ -> ]Now for the dreaded pole vault. If he can hold his own here, Charlie should gain some ground in event 9 (javelin throw).

Seems odd that Rice athletes now have trouble with the PV, when for years it seemed like we were Pole Vault U.

(06-22-2018 03:03 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote: [ -> ]

(06-22-2018 01:45 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote: [ -> ]Now for the dreaded pole vault. If he can hold his own here, Charlie should gain some ground in event 9 (javelin throw).

Seems odd that Rice athletes now have trouble with the PV, when for years it seemed like we were Pole Vault U.

Our women have never wavered. 1st or 2nd at conference every year. Women are more coachable. We have one of the best coaches in the world in David Butler, but unfortunately, he does not coach the decathletes in the pole vault.

Back to the Decathlon ....

Charlie is still in 9th after the pole vault. The javelin throw is now going on. This should give him plenty of points.

The 1st flight of the javelin is done, and Charlie had the 2nd best throw, 58.53 meters (175' 9½"). Unless Tyler Grob unleashes a huge throw in the 2nd flight, Charlie will remain in 9th place going into the final event (1500 meters).

After 9 Events:

1. Ziemek 7559
2. Simmons 7346
3. Williams (Stanford) 7097
4. Golubovic 6961
5. Ballengee (Liberty) 6764
6. Nytes (Wisconsin) 6656
7. Wunderlich 6640
8. Jacobus (Arkansas) 6513
9. Card-Childers (Rice) 6483
10. Grob 6431

I'm sure there is a simple reason why, but why don't the top performers in the NCAA Track and Field championships compete in the USATF National Championships? Is it just as simple as being able to peak at the right time for one, but not both?

Congrats to both for competing well.

(06-22-2018 04:53 PM)gsloth Wrote: [ -> ]I'm sure there is a simple reason why, but why don't the top performers in the NCAA Track and Field championships compete in the USATF National Championships? Is it just as simple as being able to peak at the right time for one, but not both?

Congrats to both for competing well.

1. There are other Decathlon events this summer, such as the Thorpe Cup.

2. This is not a World Championships year, so there's no big reward for a top-3 finish. Rule: there is a WC or OG every year EXCEPT when the World Cup is played.