Razorbacks challenge for scoring position in NCAA heptathlon
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The opening day of the NCAA Indoor Championships included the heptathlon where a pair of Razorbacks – Daniel Spejcher and Etamar Bhastekar – are currently in ninth and 11th place.
Spejcher produced 3,123 points off his career best marks of 7.08 in the 60m (854 points), and 23-0 ½ (818) in the long jump. Then he added a shot put of 48-9 (781) and a high jump of 6-0 ¾ (670).
Etamar followed with 3,115 points from a day which included career best marks of 6.91 (915) in the 60m, 23-10 ¼ (878) in the long jump, and a 40-5 (626) shot put. He finished the first day with a high jump of 6-2 (696).
Both have potential to challenge for scoring places among the top eight finishers when the multi-event continues Friday with the 60m hurdles, pole vault, and 1,000m.
A third Razorback entrant in the heptathlon, Markus Ballengee, did not finish the first day after posting marks of 7.36 in the 60m (759 points) and 20-5 ¾ (639) in the long jump.
Ruben Banks, one of just two freshmen in the weight thrower field, placed 15th with a mark of 64-10 ½ (19.77). SEC champion Thomas Mardal of Florida claimed the victory with a career best heave of 80-3 (24.46) on his first throw, bettering the runner-up by two feet, three inches.
Friday’s action begins at 10 a.m. with the continuation of the heptathlon while field events start at 11 a.m. with the running session starting at 2 p.m.
