ASU's Johnson leads heptathlon at Jim Click Combined Events
Jacquelyn Johnson is the overall leader in the women's heptathlon and Kyle Hitchcock stands sixth in the men's decathlon following the first day of action at the Jim Click Combined Events being held at Roy P. Drachman Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. The event concludes with the remaining events on Friday.
Johnson, a six-time NCAA champion in the multi-events (three indoor pentathlon and three outdoor heptathlon crowns), has totaled 3,615 points through four events and won or shared the win in all four events on the day. She opened with 1,063 points in the 100m hurdles with her time of 13.41 before tying with two others for the win the high jump with a clearance of 1.75m (5-08.75) to earn 916 points.
Johnson then scored 656 points in the shot put with her winning toss of 11.93m (39-01.75) before setting a school heptathlon record in the 200m dash at 24.01 for 980 points. Overall in the five-woman event, Johnson leads by 277 points over Arizona's Shevell Quinley with third place 554 points behind.
Hitchcock, in his first decathlon, has scored 3,227 points and stands sixth in the eight-man field, 935 points behind the overall leader, Jamie Adjetey-Nelson of Windsor Legion TC. Hitchcock opened with 717 points in the 100m dash with his time of 11.67 before earning 615 points in the long jump with a leap of 6.13m (20-01.50) to place sixth overall in his second event in a row.
He finished fourth in the shot put with a heave of 11.81m (38-09.00) to secure another 595 points before tying for sixth in the high jump with a clearance of 1.79m (5-10.50) and 619 points. In the final event of the day, the 400m dash, he earned 681 points for running 53.02.
Both Sun Devils will conclude their multi-event competition on Friday with the remaining members of the team competing in the Jim Click Shootout on Saturday. The event will feature athletes from ASU, UA, Nebraska and Georgia.