Strong, Clayborne Establish Career Bests At A&M Multis

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- After an average first day, Dan Strong and Veronica Clayborne had a solid second day and, in the process, finished the College Station Multis with career best final scores in the decathlon and hepthatlon respectively late Friday.

Strong finished fifth overall with 6,309 points while Clayborne was 10th with 4,377 points. Strong established career bests in combined event competition in the discus with a 113-8, the pole vault with a 14-7.25 and the 1500 with a 5:03.15. Strong's pole vault mark produced 746 points. He also got big points in the hurdles with 698 points. His discus mark prodcued 557 points with his 1500 produding 542 points. His time in the hurdles, 16.31, was just .01 seconds away from a career best. He recorded a 149-10 in the javelin throw which produced 525 points.

For Clayborne, competing in her only the second heptathlon of her career, it was a pair of career bests on the second day of competition that helped her finish strong. She got 638 points from her career best in the 800, a 2:34.49, and 413 points for her best in the javelin, an 87-4. She also got 589 points from her long jump with a 16-9.25.

It was the second day of career bests for Clayborne who posted career bests in the 100 hurdles, the first event of competition on Thursday, with a 15.45, and in the shot put with a 31-0.50.

“After a fair first day, Dan and Veronica came back strong on the second day,” said coach Jill Lancaster. “We were pleased with the energy and enthusiasm they brought to the competition. It's good to start the season with career best marks. They also saw areas where they can improve and add to the points in the next competition. Overall, it was a great way to start the season ... experience success and see areas for improvement.”

Several other Sooners will open the 2004 outdoor season today at the Dr Pepper Invitational in Waco, Texas. The rest of the team will open the season next Saturday at either the Texas-El Paso Invitational or the Texas-Arlington Invitational.