Morrison Sets Cal Record with Third-Place Heptathlon Finish at NCAA Indoors

Morrison Sets Cal Record with Third-Place Heptathlon Finish at NCAA Indoors
Junior's Total of 5,826 Points Helps Bears to 17th-Place Tie in Team Standings

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Junior Mike Morrison [Chesapeake, Va. (Great Bridge HS)] finished third in the heptathlon Saturday, scoring a personal-best and school-record 5,826 points, as Cal tied for 17th at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships contested at the Randall Tyson Track Center on the University of Arkansas campus.

Morrison, who stood in seventh place after Friday's first four events, started the day in fine fashion, winning his 60-meter hurdles heat in a PR 8.23 seconds. The time was good for 925 points and moved him up one spot in the overall standings to sixth place. Morrison's previous best in the event was 8.35 seconds set on Feb. 13.

In the pole vault, Morrison didn't enter the competition until the bar was placed at 15-1, which he cleared on his second attempt. After passing on the next two heights, it took him three tries to get over at 16-0.75. Morrison then cleared 16-4.75 in his best effort, which was good for fifth in the field.

The final event was the 1,000 meters, and Morrison posted at time of 2:44.15, also a personal best.

Oregon's Ashton Eaton won the heptathlon with a world record total of 6,499 points, followed by Mateo Sossah of North Carolina at 5,886 and Morrison.

The third-place finish matched Morrison's standing from 2008 when he was a sophomore at Florida and scored a then-career-high 5,792 points at the NCAA meet. Saturday's total of 5,826 broke the Cal record of 5,710 set by Morrison at the UW Invitational back on Jan. 29-30.

Both Michael Coe and Mark Matusak had high expectations in the 3000 meters, but neither was able to score for the Bears. Matusak was 11th in 8:18.55, with Coe 13th in 8:20.80.

In addition to Morrison's contribution to the team race, Cal's distance medley relay comprised of Matusak, Tom Blocker, Sebastian Sam and Coe was fourth on Friday.





NCAA Indoor Championships
March 13, 2010
Fayetteville, Ark.

Cal Results
Men's 3000 meters - 11. Mark Matusak 8:18.55; 13. Michael Coe 8:20.80.

Heptathlon: 60-meter Hurdles - 8. Mike Morrison 8.23 (925 points)

Heptathlon: Pole Vault - 5. Mike Morrison 16-4.75 (5.00m) (910 points)

Heptathlon: 1000 meters - 9. Mike Morrison 2:44.15 (828 points)

Heptathlon: Final Point Totals -3. Mike Morrison (Cal) 5826 points


Courtesy Cal Bears Outdoor Track