RESULTS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Calvin had a banner finish in the first-ever MIAA decathlon competition, placing four individuals in the top six to vault to the top of the team standings.

Sophomore Zach VanBaren led the charge by finishing second (6,033 points) in the grueling two-day competition with sophomore Bob Horton fourth (5,234 points), freshman Rhys Bedford fifth (5,153 points) and freshman Hunter Bristow (4,833 points) sixth.

The collective Calvin effort produced 20 points for the Knights which they will carry over into the MIAA Championships which kick into high gear next Thursday and Friday at Alma College. The decathlon competition, completed on Wednesday, will carry over into next week's conference championship meet.

VanBaren (Hudsonville, Mich./Covenant Christian HS) took second with a career-best score of 6,033 points, surpassing his previous career-best by 26 points. He opened the day with a first place and career-best time of 15.31 in the 110 high hurdles. He finished second in the discus (97-1) and then placed fourth in the pole vault with a career-best vault of 12-1 ½. He took third in the javelin with yet another career-best throw of 132-9. He just missed a career-best in the 1500 meters with a time of 5:00.28. The time was good for third place in the 1500 meters.

Horton, Bedford and Bristow were all competing in their first-ever decathlon competitions.

Horton (Rockford, Mich./Rockford HS) opened Wednesday by placing fourth in the 110 high hurdles in a career-best time of 16.15. He was eighth in the discus (76-0) and pole vault (8-2 ½). He also placed eighth in the javelin (104-3). He closed out the competition by winning the 1500 meters in 4:56.89.

Bedford (Delton, Mich./Delton-Kellogg HS) was second in the 110 high hurdles (15.63), sixth in the discus (83-8), eighth in the pole vault (8-2 ½), fourth in the javelin (114-2) and sixth in the 1500 meters (5:18.83). His throw in the javelin was a career-best by more than 17 feet.

Bristow (Belding, Mich./Belding HS) was seventh in the 110 high hurdles (18.05), third in the discus (94-2), eighth in the pole vault (8-2 ½), second in the javelin (136-0) and seventh in the 1500 meters (5:25.53). His throw in the discus was a career-best by nearly 12 feet while his throw in the javelin was also a career-best by nearly 12 feet.

The finishes gives Calvin 20 points in the early team standings with Trine second with 16, Alma third with two and Adrian fourth with one.

COACHES COMMENT: "A great two days for our decathletes," said Calvin head track and field coach Adam Haldorson. "To have four individuals in the top six is an amazing achievement for our guys, three of which were competing for the first time in this event. They competed with grit and confidence and produced 20 points for our team. This was the start we were hoping for building into the main MIAA Outdoor Championships meet next week!"