May 13, 2004

Decathlon Day One | Heptathlon Day One
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OXFORD, Miss. -The beginning events of the women's heptathlon and men's decathlon got underway Thursday to kickoff the 2004 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the new $5 million Ole Miss Track and Field Complex, and Georgia's Sarah Gretzmacher and Greg Sewell are in scoring contention heading into Friday's finals.

Sewell is seventh in the decathlon through five events. He finished eighth in the 100 meters (11.60, 732 points), 10th in the long jump (20-5, 635 points), tied for sixth in the long jump (6-2 ¾, 714 points) and third in the 400 meters in 49.33 (846 points), a career best. Sewell will complete the decathlon Friday with the 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500 meters.

The women completed four of seven heptathlon events and Gretzmacher stands in 11th place with 2,853 points. She placed eighth in the 100-meter hurdles (15.09,830 points), seventh in the high jump (5-5, 795 points), ninth in the shot put (32-3 ¾, 520 points) and 12th in the 200 meters (27.04, 708 points). Gretzmacher is just 126 points behind the eighth-place position with the long jump, javelin and 800 meters still remaining on Friday.

Friday's events will begin with the women's hammer throw finals at 10 a.m. (CST) and will be followed by the men's hammer finals at 1 p.m. Friday's events will conclude with the men's 10,000 meters at 9:50 p.m. The SEC Championships run through Sunday.

Day One Quotes

Josie Hahn, Vanderbilt (Day One leader)
(on the high jump)
"I got a little nervous at the two attempts missed at 5-8.5, and I luckily made the last attempt. My coaches told me it was luck that I made it and I thought it was too. My approach wasn't very good. I cleaned some things up and at the end it felt really good. I thought I could get 6-1 today, but after jumping 16 or so times I just couldn't get it."

(on leading after the first day of action)
"Today has been a really good day, hurdles didn't go well, but I had a (PR) in High Jump, and Shot Put and maybe the 200m so overall I feel really good about today."

Chelsea Hammond, South Carolina (Second Place after Day One)
(on her performance on the first day of action)
"I was disappointed in the shot put, I only threw 31 feet and I normally throw 39 feet so I knew I had to put a good effort into the 200 meters, and try to catch up. Overall, I am satisfied, I probably won't get a personal best this meet, but the most important thing is the points, so I am going to have to come out here and do the best I can for my team."

LaToya McBride, Ole Miss (Third Place after Day One)
(on her performance on day one)
"I am real proud of my performance today, I set a personal best in everything I needed to from the last time I competed in the heptathlon. I did better in the hurdles and high jump today, which helped me out a lot. I am hoping for a big day in the long jump tomorrow."

Maurice Smith, Auburn (First Place after Day One)
(on his performance on day one)
"I started off shakey because I have a small injury in my back that has been slowing me down. I am going to stay with it, I am done with the first day now, so I am going to go back to the hotel and relax and see how I feel tomorrow."

Trey Hardee, Mississippi State (Second Place after Day One)
(on his performance on day one)
"I didn't want to come out and put everything into the first event. I just tried to stay relaxed throughout. I didn't run what I wanted to in any event but the 400 (meters). I have great coaches, and they helped me stay calm and focused throughout this first day. The way I finished (in the last two events) is what I needed heading into tomorrow's events. I had not been pleased with my performance until the high jump, and that momentum helped me in the 400. To end on those two good notes is great."