March 21, 2003

Contact: Phil Garner
(435) 797-2066

USU MULTI-EVENTERS FINISH FIRST MEET OF OUTDOOR SEASON

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Utah State Universities multi-eventers opened up their outdoor season here Thursday and Friday. Joel Johnson (fifth) led the way with his score of 7,337 points, well above the NCAA provisional qualifying score of 7,000. Johnson finished 16th in the NCAA Championship in 2001. He was unable to finish due to injury in 2002. Dwight Thomas was the only other finisher for the men. He finished in seventh in the third division with a personal best score of 5,617. Kenny Murdock and Dan Messick did not finish the competition.

Despite being unable to finish the final race, Katie Farner's score of 4,236 points was still good enough to give her 13th place. Amber Bagby finished 14th with a score of 4,230. Dayna Barrett did not finish the competition.

Next week Utah State will compete in the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif. The meet will be a two day event starting on Friday the 28th and ending on Saturday the 29th.

Men's final individual results:
Decathlon
Gold Division- 5. Joel Johnson (7,337)
Silver Division- Dan Messick DNF
Bronze Division- 7. Dwight Thomas (5,617), Kenny Murdock DNF
Women's final individual results:
Heptathlon
Gold Division- 13. Katie Farner (4,236), 14. Amber Bagby (4,230), Dayna Barett DNF