Ashton Eaton: At US Track Trials, Star Decathlete on World-Record Pace

Ashton Eaton remembered his roots...as an Oregon Duck.

The ex-University of Oregon decathlon champion seemed to literally frolic in the rain on his way to a Day 1 lead and total of 4,728 points at the U.S. Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon. The points total is right on pace to surpass Roman Sebrle's (Czech Republic) world record of 9,026.

Eaton started the competition on a mission, setting two decathlon world records in the 100-meter dash (10.21 seconds) and the long jump (27.0 feet). His single long jump attempt was almost a foot better than the longest leap in the open long jump qualifying round.

Coming back to Earth a bit in one of his weaker events, he finished fifth in the shot put (46', 7.75"). Eaton surged again, winning the high jump (6', 8.75") and the 400 meters (46.70) in a raging downpour.

Tomorrow's action will conclude with the 110 high hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500-meter run.

Americans Trey Hardee (4,406) and defending Olympic gold medalist Bryan Clay (4,252) finished the day in second and third, respectively, keeping hopes of an American sweep in London very much alive.

Collegian Gray Horn, a Florida senior, was in fourth place with 4,084.

The second day of decathlon competition begins tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. PT. Follow the event-by-event results here at the U.S. Track and Field website, or catch the tape-delayed broadcast of highlights at 8-9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

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