Pappas starts out strong in decathlon

Photo by Charlie Riedel

Tom Pappas throws for his lifetime best in the decathlon shot put event at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore., Sunday.

EUGENE, Ore. - With his first throw of the shot put event in the men's decathlon Tom Pappas ignited the Hayward field crowd, set a personal best and put himself in a coveted position heading into today's events.

Pappas, an Oregon native and former NCAA champion at Tennessee, sits in third place with 4,405 points heading into the final five events of today's decathlon at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.

"I really enjoy it," Pappas said of performing in front of his hometown crowd. "I hear my name called and I don't have to start the clap; they (the fans) are already doing it."

Bryan Clay and Trey Hardee lead the decathlon with 4,476 and 4,454 points, respectively. Jangy Addy, who just finished his senior year at UT, is in fourth with 4,249.

"Everything was pretty solid," Addy said, "but you always want to do better."

The decathlon opened with the 100-meter dash. Addy and Pappas ran in the same heat, finishing fourth and seventh in 10.77 and 10.90. Former Vol Chris Helwick finished third in his heat at 11.34. Helwick is 12th overall with 3,910 points.

After the 100 came the long jump, where Pappas uncorked a monster jump on his second attempt. His mark of 25 feet, 6 inches is the second-best of his career. The crowd roared its approval and Pappas celebrated, then took off his shoes and waited for the shot put competition.

His rest paid off: Pappas' heave of 54 feet, 6 1/2 inches set another personal record, as well as breaking the Hayward Field record. But he wasn't done. On his next throw, Pappas improved, throwing 56 feet, 7 inches to win the event and increase his lead.

"I didn't expect to do that in the long jump or shot put," said Pappas, who estimated he had 50 to 70 family members in the crowd. "I think I'm in a good position to finish top three."

Addy threw 51-3 1/2 in the shot and Helwick 45-3 1/2.

"Tom had a crazy day," Addy said, shaking his head in amazement.

Next up was the high jump, where Pappas and Addy cleared 6-5. Helwick bettered both, clearing 6-6 1/4.

"I think I lost about 50 points in the high jump, but I'm going to try not to think about it," Pappas said. "My years of experience have taught me you can't dwell on those things or they'll impact the next day."

Day one of the event finished up with the 400, where Pappas ran a 49.80 (last in his heat), Addy a 48.61 (fourth) and Helwick a 50.20 (first).

"I think in the 400 the heat started to get to me but overall my body is holding up," Pappas said.

Temperatures reached the mid-90s, but are expected to cool down today for the last events, which are the 110 hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500.

"You know (the heat) affects everyone, but I'm just trying to stay hydrated," Addy said. "Everyone is managing it to the best of their ability."

Overall it was a good showing for the Vols.

"We're all clapping, cheering each other on," Addy said. "You know, representing Tennessee."