Henry Sits Second in Decathlon

April 18, 2008

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- University of Oklahoma decathlete Mitch Henry sits in second place and Jamie Alexander in fourth after one day and half of the competition in the men's decathlon at the John McDonnell Invitational on the campus of the University of Arkansas. OU freshman Zac Givens, competing unattached, is seventh.

Henry sits second behind Northern Iowa's Mat Clark with 3,580 points through five events. Clark leads with 3,798 points. Ernest Martinez of Oral Roberts is third with 3,478 while Alexander trails by just 17 points with 3,461 points.

The 10-event competition opened with the 100-meter dash as Alexander claimed second with a time of 11.22 and Henry third in 11.46. The duo flip-flopped places on the next event, the long jump, as Henry took silver with a jump of 22 feet and 0.75 inches (6.72 meters). Alexander was third with a distance of 21-7.25 (6.58).

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Both Alexander and Henry hit season-best marks in the shot put as they finished third and fourth, respectively, in the event. Alexander recorded a toss of 39-6.50 (12.05) while Henry cleared 38-3.50 (11.67). Givens was fifth with a throw of 36-0.00 (10.97).

Henry took second in the fourth event, the high jump, leaping over the bar set at 6-4.00 (1.93).

The decathletes closed out the first day of competition with the 400-meter dash, an event that Henry and Alexander took third and fourth, respectively. Henry's time of 51.54 narrowly edged Alexander's 52.24.

Friday's action marked the season debut for Oklahoma multi-event athletes in the 2008 outdoor season. Henry enters 2008 after finishing 10th in the event at the 2007 NCAA Championships. Henry finished sixth in the heptathlon at this year's Big 12 indoor championships, an event that Alexander finished 11th in.

The men's decathlon resumes Saturday at 11 a.m. with the 110-meter hurdles.

Saturday's action at the John McDonnell Invitational begins at 9 a.m. with the hammer throw. Running events begin at 11:10 a.m. with the women's 100-meter hurdles.

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