Colorado University Athletics
Multis Off To Great Start At California Invitational
April 13, 2016 | Track and Field
Freshman Isaiah Oliver, had an excellent collegiate decathlon debut in the 'B' section, and is just one point behind the first day leader, Calvin Berstler (Air Force), who finished the day with 3,581 points. Oliver, a defensive back on CU's football team, earned four top-five finishes to record 3,580 points just a few days after an impressive performance at the annual spring game on April 9.
He started the competition with a runner-up finish in the 100-meters, finishing in 11.12 seconds. In the second event, the long jump, Oliver was third after leaping 21-6.75. His mark of 38-2.25 was third in the shot put.
The only event Oliver didn't place in the top three was the high jump where he tied for 11th after clearing 5-9.75, his first high jump since high school competition. Oliver wrapped up the day in strong fashion, winning the 400 in 49.32.
“Isaiah is doing great for being one day out of football,” assistant coach Lindsay Malone said. “His prospects look fantastic and I'm really excited to get to work with him for the next few weeks to see what we can come up with. He had a huge long jump today, but it was a foul, which is how it goes sometimes. Overall he is going to be great. His goal tomorrow is to win his section. We are at the point where this is a practice competition for him. He's been out of it for a while, but he is such a talented athlete that he is going to be able to put this together pretty quick.
Sophomore Andrew Ghizzone is competing in the 'A' section of the decathlon and also had a solid day, finishing 14th with 3,432 points. He finished the 100 in 11.54 and then jumped 21-3.50 in the long jump. After throwing the shot put 35.2.50, Ghizzone cleared 5-11.50 in the high jump. He ended the day with a time of 49.90 in the 400.
“Andrew has an 80-point first day PR,” Malone said. “He is a little further down the standings, but we know he will have a great day two to move up the list.”
Two other Buffs were also in action in the 'B' section. Joseph Martinez and Nate Gravelding, both freshmen, are 13th and 18th, respectively. Martinez ended the day with 3,026 points, while Gravelding totaled 2,719 points.
“Nate and Joe are doing great,” Malone said. “I'm very happy with where they are at and there is more to come tomorrow.”
In the heptathlon, senior Abrianna Torres is currently eighth with 3,264 points, just 12 points off her first day PR. She started the day running 14.75 in the 100-meter hurdles, which was 16th, and followed that up with a mark of 5-7.75 in the high jump, tying her personal best. She went on to place second in the shot put part of the event, tossing the implement 42-7.50, a season-best. Torres finished the day clocking a time of 26.16, another season best, in the 200.
“Abrianna had a great day, tying her PR in the high jump,” Malone said. “She just barely missed 1.75 meters, which would have been a great jump and usually gets into the first round of the NCAA Championships. She is doing a great job.”
Freshman Maja Wichhart-Donzo also had a good day, finishing 18th with 3,035 points. She led the Buffs in the 100-hurdles, finishing in 14.68 and also had the best time in the 200, 25.09, which is a personal record. She also jumped 5-3 in the high jump and recorded a mark of 33-1.75 in the shot put.
Two other CU women, both freshmen, are also competing in the heptathlon. Lauren Sharpe is 46th (2,375) and Rachel Sharpe is 47th (2,310).
“Maja also had a very good day,” Malone said. “Her 200 time put her third on the all-time performers list (heptathlon-only). Rachel and Lauren are also doing very well. This is their first heptathlon and they are holding their own in a tough field.”
The second day of the California Invitational Combined Events is Thursday.
2016 California Invitational Combined Event
Women's Heptathlon
Day 1 Scores: (1. Nia Ali, Nike, 3,712) 8. Abrianna Torres, 3,264; 18. Maja Wichhart-Donzo, 3,035; 46. Lauren Sharpe, 2,375; 47. Rachel Sharpe, 2,310
100-Meter Hurdles: (1. Nia Ali, Nike, 13.14) 12. Wichhart-Donzo, 14.68; 16. Torres, 14.75; 45. L. Sharpe, 17.11; 49. R. Sharpe, 18.48
High Jump: (1. Nia Ali, Nike, 5-11.25) t6. Torres, 5-7.75/1.72; t25. Wichhart-Donzo, 5-3/1.60; t28. L. Sharpe, 5-1.75/1.57; t46. R. Sharpe, 4-10.25/1.48
Shot Put: (1. Annie Kunz, Texas A&M, 43-8.75/13.33) 2. Torres, 42-7.50/12.99; 33. Wichhart-Donzo, 33-1.75/10.10; 41. R. Sharpe, 30-3/9.22; 48. L. Sharpe, 27-1.25/8.26
200-Meters: (1. Rose Jackson, NDSU, 24.01) 8. Wichhart-Donzo, 25.09; 32. R. Sharpe, 26.06; 33. Torres. 26.16; 46. L. Sharpe, 27.46
Men's Decathlon (Section B)
Day 1 Scores: (1. Calvin Berstler, Air Force, 3,581) 2. Isaiah Oliver, 3,580; 13. Joseph Martinez, 3,026; 18. Nate Gravelding, 2,719
100-Meters: (1. Jacob Rickman, Cal Poly, 11.08) 2. Oliver, 11.12; 14. Gravelding, 11.91; 15. Martinez, 11.92
Long Jump: (1. Hunter Dittbenner, Chadron State, 21-9.50) 3. Oliver, 21-6.75/6.57; 17. Gravelding, 17-8.25/5.39; 18. Martinez, 17-7.50/5.37
Shot Put: (1. Ryan Enerson, NDSU, 47-6.25/14.48) 3. Oliver, 38-2.25/11.64; 16. Gravelding, 30-5.50/9.28; 17. Martinez, 29-9.50/9.08
High Jump: (1. Winston Lawson, Vanguard, 6-6) 8. Martinez, 6-2.25/1.89; t11. Oliver, 5-9.75/1.77; t17. Gravelding, 5-6/1.68
400-Meters: 1. Oliver, 49.32; 5. Martinez, 51.02; 13. Gravelding, 54.47
Men's Decathlon (Section A)
Day 1 Scores: (1. Victor Lindon, Texas A&M, 4,092) 14. Andrew Ghizzone, 3,432
100-Meters: (1. Chaz Hawkins, Duke, 10.82) 16. Ghizzone, 11.54
Long Jump: (1. Hunter Dittbenner, Chadron State, 21-9.50) Ghizzone, 21-3.50/6.49
Shot Put: (1. Victor Lindon, Texas A&M, 50-2.50) 16. Ghizzone, 35-2.50/10.73
High Jump: (1. Triston Sisneros, CSM, 6-6.75/2.00) t8. Ghizzone, 5-11.50/1.82
400-Meters: (1. Tom Hopkins, Santa Barbara TC, 47.31) 7. Ghizzone, 49.90
