Decathlon begins at Texas Relays

AUSTIN, Texas — BYU men’s track and field kicked off day one of four at the 95th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays this week, with Ben Barton and Dallin Vorkink competing in the opening five events of the decathlon.

Barton finished atop the elite field of 12 decathletes in the 400-meters, clocking a new personal record of 47.32 to go along with a second-place finish in three events: the 100-meters (10.48), long jump (7.03m/23-0.75), and high jump (2.01m/6-7). Thus far, the sophomore from Birmingham, Michigan sits at second-place with 4,185 points, only behind Texas’s Leo Neugebauer’s 4,445 points.

“Ben couldn’t have had a better day,” BYU track & field associate head coach Mark Robison said. “In windy conditions, he ran his fastest 400-meter race, and it was almost a full second ahead of his lifetime best. He’s doing things he’s never done before, and this is even while barely practicing outdoors due to weather.”

Aside from the 400m, Barton also posted personal-bests in the 100m, long jump, and shot put. Vorkink took third in the shot put, registering a mark of 13.41m/44-0.

BYU’s trip to the Texas Relays serves as a primer for the upcoming NCAA outdoor Track and Field Championships at Myers Stadium June 7-10. Competition resumes tomorrow and will include the decathlon's conclusion along with throws.