Morrison Third after Four Events of UW Invitational Heptathlon

Kuechler in 13th Place, Coles in 17th with Three Events to Go

Jan. 29, 2011


SEATTLE, Wash. -


Senior Mike Morrison stands in third place to lead three Golden Bear heptathletes after the first day of competition at the UW Invitational Friday. Junior Kevin Kuechler holds down the 13th spot, while freshman Idarre Coles is 17th.

Through four events, Oregon's David Klech tops the overall standings with 3159 points, followed by Jeremy Taiwo of Washington with 3080 and Morrison with 3062. Kuechler totaled 2757 points and Coles 2678.

In the opening event, the 60 meters, Morrison posted the fourth-fastest time among the 22 competitors, crossing the line in 7.11 seconds. Coles registered 7.33 seconds (13th), while Kuechler was timed in 7.40 (19th).

Morrison took second in the long jump with an effort of 23-5.50, better than his 23-2.00 performance at last week's Cherry & Silver Invitational, but well off his indoor PR of 24-6.50. Kuechler was ninth in the field at 21-8.25 and Coles 15th at 20-11.75.

Both Morrison and Kuechler set PRs in the shot put, with Kuechler improving over a foot and a half from his previous best. He finished second in the competition after unleashing a throw of 43-11.75 on his first attempt. Kuechler had a top effort of 41-2.50 last season. Morrison, meanwhile, was fourth with a distance of 43-4.50, also on his opening try. He entered the meet with a PR of 42-7.00.





On the final event of the night, Coles paced the Bears with a clearance of 6-5 in the high jump, slightly better than the 6-4.25 he posted last weekend, to capture fifth. Morrison was 10th at 6-1.50 and Kuechler 19th at 5-10.

The heptathlon concludes on Saturday with the final three events in the 60-meter hurdles, pole vault and 1000 meters.

The remainder of Cal's 40-athlete contingent will also be in action throughout the day Saturday. To follow along, live results, as well as complete standings, can be viewed here.

UW Invitational
Seattle, Wash.

Friday's Results

Heptathlon
(awarded points in parentheses)

Day 1 totals: 3. Mike Morrison 3062; 13. Kevin Kuechler 2757; 17. Idarre Coles 2678.

60 meters - 4. Mike Morrison 7.11 (844); 13. Idarre Coles 7.33 (769); 19. Kevin Kuechler 7.44 (732).

Long Jump - 2. Mike Morrison 23-5.50 (7.15m) (850); 9. Kevin Kuechler 21-8.25 (6.61m) (723); 15. Idarre Coles 20-11.75 (6.39m) (673).

Shot Put - 2. Kevin Kuechler 43-11.75 (13.40m) (692); 4. Mike Morrison 43-4.50 (13.22m) (681); 22. Idarre Coles 31-10.75 (9.72m) (469).

High Jump - 5. Idarre Coles 6-5.00 (1.96m) (767); 10. Mike Morrison 6-1.50 (1.87m) (687); 19. Kevin Kuechler 5-10.00 (1.78m) (610).