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Track and Field
at Battle on the Bayou
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Hutchins Finishes 10th In The 10,000 At Big 12 T&F Championships
May 17, 2003 | Track and Field
AUSTIN, Texas - Sophomore Darren Hutchins battled throughout the race, then fell just a bit short to finish 10th in the 10,000-meter run on the first day of the seventh annual Big 12 Track and Field Championships. Hutchins finished with a 32:04.21 in the final event of the first day. The three-day meet started Saturday at Mike Myers Stadium on the UT campus.
Hutchins, who finished 19th in this event last year as a redshirt freshman, started back in the pack but began making a move to the lead group by the end of the first eight laps. He moved up to the top eight and remained in that spot through 5,000 meters. Shortly after completing the first half of the race, Hutchins moved outside and took over sixth place by himself.
He continued to hold onto the sixth spot until just before the bell lap when he dropped back to seventh. Battling the high temperatures and humidity, Hutchins began struggling as the final lap began. He continued fighting back and according to his coach, Rodney Rothoff, left nothing on the track.
"I'm so proud of Darren," Rothoff added. "He never gave up and he had plenty of chances to do so. He fought throughout and he gave it all he had. You could tell how tough it was to run tonight based on the way the conference's top runners finished. Darren is still learning how to run this race but tonight showed he has the heart to do it."
Three other Sooners competed on the first day of the event. Sophomore Dan Strong posted career bests in the 100 meter dash and the 400 meter dash to finish the first day of the decathlon with a career best score of 3331. He ranks 12th heading into Sunday's final day of competition. Strong's 100 time was just over .20 seconds better than his previous best. His 400 time, in the final event of the day, was nearly two seconds better. His first day total was 43 points better than his previous best, posted earlier this season at the College Station Combined. His shot put effort of 39-1.25 was just under his career best effort in the decathlon.
"Dan had a great day and he really looked strong in the final event," Jill Lancaster, co-head coach, said.
Chaundra Allard is 11th with 2,643 points in the heptathlon. She's just 29 points behind her first day total at the College Station Combined, the only time this season she has finished the seven event competition because of injury problems. She posted season bests in the 100-meter hurdles with a 14.85 and in the 200 with a 26.75.
"Chaundra had a solid day, especially when you consider how tough it has been for her this season. She just barely knocked the bar off in the high jump and I thought she was on the way to a big score in that event. I'm proud of the way they both competed today in the heat and humidity," Lancaster added.
Barbara Phillips finished 14th in the hammer throw with a career best effort of 145-8. She posted that mark on her first throw in the competition, improving her career best by more than two feet.
The combined events will conclude on Sunday and finals in seven field events are set for the second day of the meet. Additionally, preliminaries in 14 running events also are on the schedule.
Complete results from the meet are available at www.texassports.com.
Big 12 Track and Field Championships
Mike A. Myers Stadium
OU Results Only
Men's Results
Decathlon -- 12. Dan Strong, 3331
100-Meter Dash: 11.79 (693); Long Jump: 20-3.5 (626); Shot Put: 39-1.25 (602; High Jump: 6-1.25 (679); 400: 51.85 (731)
10,000 -- 10. Darren Hutchins, 32:04.21
Women's Results
Heptathlon -- 11. Chaundra Allard
100-Meter Hurdles: 14.85 (862); High Jump: 4-9.5 (577); Shot Put: 29-10.25 (471); 200: 26.75 (733)
Hammer Throw -- 14. Barbara Phillips, 145-8
Saturday, June 13
Friday, June 12
Thursday, June 11
Wednesday, June 10
