FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Through five events and one day of competition LSU seniors Darion Powell and Edwin Billot are in second and third place, respectively, in the decathlon as action from the SEC Outdoor Championships got underway Thursday afternoon at Arkansas’ John McDonnell Field.
Powell turned in exceptional day of competition, posting season-best marks in four of the five events. He began the day with a trio of runner-up finishes in the 100 meters (11.15), long jump (22-9 ?) and shot put (48-2 ?). He then added a clearance of 6-2 in the high jump and a 50.26-second finish in the 400 meters to finish the day with 3,831 points, just 82 shy of the leader, Chris Helwick of Tennessee.
“I am not surprised,” said LSU assistant and multi-event coach Boo Schexnayder on Powell’s season bests. “The bottom line is you are trying to do your best at the end and I think Darion is doing a nice job of that.”
Billot was not too far off Powell’s pace, tallying a first-day point total of 3,614. Billot’s day was highlighted by a pair of first-place finishes in the 100 (11.09) and 400 (50.26) meters. He added marks of 37-11 ? in the shot put, 20-6 ? in the long jump and a clearance of 6-4 ? in the high jump.
“Edwin had a little mistake in the long jump, but he’s doing well,” said Schexnayder. “In my opinion, these guys are right where they need to be.”
In the women’s heptathlon, senior Megan Akre stands in fifth place after four events. The Sugar Land, Texas, native turned in her best efforts of the day in the high jump (5-5 1/4) and 200 meters (24.99), picking up a pair of fourth-place finishes. She also placed sixth in the 100 hurdles
(14.17) and 11th in the shot put (30-7 ?) to finish with 3,134 points, a total that is just 106 points out of first place.
“Megan has had some nerve irritation in her shoulder and I think it showed that she didn’t have her best stuff today,” said Schexnayder. “But she’s a gamer and she’ll keep hammering away at it the best way she can.”
Action from the SEC Outdoor Championships continues tomorrow with the conclusion of the multi-events as well as the start of both the open field and running events.