Kennedy Leads Decathlon, Ahern Tops Heptathlon, on First Day of Bearcat Multi

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University track and field athletes Carson Kennedy (So., Forest Grove, OR/Forest Grove HS) and Elisa Ahern (So., Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS) were the individual leaders after the first day of the Bearcat Invitational Multi on Friday, March 22 at the Charles Bowles Track.

Kennedy led the decathlon through five events with an overall score of 3,309 points. Ahern topped the standings in the heptathlon after four events with 2,461 points.

Rebekah Daniel (So., Silverdale, WA/Central Kitsap HS) of Willamette was second in the heptathlon standings with 2,440 points, and Molly Bond (So., Clarkston, WA/Asotin HS) from Willamette was third at 2,368.

In the decathlon, Kennedy held a 140-point lead over Cameron Braithwaite from the University of Puget Sound, who was second with 3,169 points. Eric Gaines of Western Oregon University was third with 3,106 points.

Kennedy took first place in the 400-meter dash, and tied for first place in the 100-meter dash and the high jump.

In the 400, Kennedy's winning time was 51.69 seconds. Joe Cerne from UPS was second in 52.36 seconds. Kennedy completed the 100 in 11.63 seconds, the same time as Braithwaite. First place in the high jump was shared by Kennedy and Braithwaite, as both cleared 6'0".

Kennedy was a close second behind Braithwaite in the long jump. Braithwaite won the event with a leap of 21' 4.75". Kennedy's top distance was just 1.5 inches back at 21' 3.25". Gaines was third at 21' 0.50".

Taylor Wilkins of Corban University took first place in the shot put with a throw of 39' 3.25". Kennedy finished sixth at 33:5.7", but was within 1.5 inches of fourth.

The top event score in the decathlon resulted from Kennedy's win in the 400-meter dash, as he earned 738 points. Kennedy's score of 725 in the 100-meter dash was the second highest event score, tied with Braithwaite in the same event. Kennedy garnered more than 650 points in four of the five events.

Ahern gained her lead by wining the 100-meter hurdles in 15.69 seconds and taking first place in the high jump at 4' 10.50".

WU finished 1-2-3 in the hurdles, with Daniel taking second in 15.85 seconds and Bond earning third in 16.16. Bond tied with Jenny Harman from Corban for second place in the high jump at 4' 9.50."

Christy Mosier of Corban was the winner of the shot put. Her top throw covered 40' 2". Daniel of Willamette was second at 32' 7.75". Ahern claimed fourth place at 30' 3.50".

Daniel won the 200-meter dash, earning a time of 27.53 seconds. Bond placed second in 27.87 seconds. Maylea Tooze of Western Oregon was third at 27.98 and Ahern was fourth at 28.17.

The 100-meter dash produced the top three event scores of the day. Ahern earned 754 points, while Daniel was credited with 734 and Bond received 696. Ahern scored more than 600 points in three of the day's four events.

A total of eight men are competing in the decathlon and eight women are participating in the heptathlon. The remaining events in both of the competitions will be held on Saturday (March 23).