Booth Wins Men’s Decathlon in K-State Debut at the Jim Click Combined Events
Apr 06, 2018 | Track & Field
TUCSON, Arizona – Sophomore Aaron Booth won the men's decathlon in his K-State debut, behind 7,397 points and a series of event victories, while sophomores Lauren Taubert and Ariel Okorie set personal bests on day two of the Jim Click Combined Events in Tucson, Arizona on Friday.
Booth finished strong with a total of 7,397 points to win the men's decathlon, while Taubert (5,487 pts.) and Okorie (5,429 pts.) used collective efforts to set P.R.'s and finish fourth and fifth in the women's heptathlon.
"Ariel [Okorie] and Lauren [Taubert] did a great job. Significant P.R.'s for both of them, and they competed well," Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto said. "Aaron [Booth] did a solid job, considering the lack of work in some areas, he will be a good one for us."
Booth, a native of Auckland, New Zealand, began the day with 3,890 points and was situated in second place through day one of the decathlon. However, Booth took over on day two, which included two event victories, as the freshman wrapped up his decathlon debut with a victory.
In the men's discus throw, Booth waited until his last throw to claim the winning throw of 39.27m/128-10, which garnered him 650 points in the event. Two events later, Booth returned in the men's javelin, where he threw 56.71m/186-10 to take over the lead with 6,747 points through nine events.
In the final event of the day, Booth capped off his impressive effort with a 4:44.80 in the 1,500 meters, which sealed the decathlon victory. Booth finished with 7,397 points, over 600 points ahead of the nearest competitor.
Following a strong opening day, Taubert and Okorie were placed in second and fourth with three events to go in the women's heptathlon at the Jim Click Combined Events. In their first event on Friday, Okorie led the way with a jump of 5.74m/18-10 in the women's long jump, placing her second with 771 points in the event.
In the javelin portion of the heptathlon, Okorie and Taubert placed seventh and eighth in the event, placing them fourth and fifth in the heptathlon with the 800 meters remaining.
In the final event of the heptathlon, Taubert finished strong with a huge personal best in the 800 meters, running 2:14.72 to place second in the event, which moved her into fourth overall with 5,487 points. Okorie put together a solid effort to round out her day, running 2:22.92 to score 5,429 total points to place fifth in the heptathlon.
Both Taubert and Okorie notched new personal bests with their performances, where Taubert improved upon her previous best of 5,115 set at the Big 12 Championship in Lawrence, Kansas last season. Okorie also made notable improvements this weekend, registering four personal bests throughout the weekend, improving upon her previous best score of 5,251 set at the Big 12 Championships last year.
With the conclusion of the Jim Click Combined Events, the Wildcats will return to Roy P. Drachman Stadium in Tucson, Arizona on Saturday, as the Wildcats compete in the Jim Click Shootout which is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. CT. For a full list of entries, live results and more, click here.
For the latest on K-State track and field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
Jim Click Combined Events (Day Two)
Roy P. Drachman Stadium
Tucson, Arizona
Men's Decathlon 110-Meter Hurdles
5. Aaron Booth, 15.90 (-.2) (744 pts.) (P.R.)
Women's Heptathlon Long Jump
2. Ariel Okorie, 5.74m/18-10 (771 pts.)
5. Lauren Taubert, 5.54m/18-02.25 (712 pts.)
Men's Decathlon Discus
1. Aaron Booth, 39.27m/128-10 (650 pts.) (P.R.)
Women's Heptathlon Javelin
7. Ariel Okorie, 36.79m/120-08 (606 pts.)
8. Lauren Taubert, 34.32m/112-07 (559 pts.)
Men's Decathlon Pole Vault
2. Aaron Booth, 4.55m/14-11 (775 pts.) (P.R.)
Men's Decathlon Javelin
1. Aaron Booth, 56.71m/186-00 (688 pts.) (P.R.)
Women's Heptathlon 800 Meter Dash
2. Lauren Taubert, 2:14.72 (897 pts.) (P.R.)
6. Ariel Okorie, 2:22.92 (784 pts.)
Men's Decathlon 1500 Meter Run
4. Aaron Booth, 4:44.80 (650 pts.) (P.R.)
Women's Heptathlon Final Scores
4. Lauren Taubert, 5,487 points (P.R.)
5. Ariel Okorie, 5,429 points (P.R.)
Men's Decathlon Final Scores
1. Aaron Booth, 7,397 points
Booth finished strong with a total of 7,397 points to win the men's decathlon, while Taubert (5,487 pts.) and Okorie (5,429 pts.) used collective efforts to set P.R.'s and finish fourth and fifth in the women's heptathlon.
"Ariel [Okorie] and Lauren [Taubert] did a great job. Significant P.R.'s for both of them, and they competed well," Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto said. "Aaron [Booth] did a solid job, considering the lack of work in some areas, he will be a good one for us."
Booth, a native of Auckland, New Zealand, began the day with 3,890 points and was situated in second place through day one of the decathlon. However, Booth took over on day two, which included two event victories, as the freshman wrapped up his decathlon debut with a victory.
In the men's discus throw, Booth waited until his last throw to claim the winning throw of 39.27m/128-10, which garnered him 650 points in the event. Two events later, Booth returned in the men's javelin, where he threw 56.71m/186-10 to take over the lead with 6,747 points through nine events.
In the final event of the day, Booth capped off his impressive effort with a 4:44.80 in the 1,500 meters, which sealed the decathlon victory. Booth finished with 7,397 points, over 600 points ahead of the nearest competitor.
What a #KStateTF Decathlon debut for Aaron Booth, who checks out with a victory and 7,397 points ????????
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) April 6, 2018
Men's decathlon results:
1. Aaron Booth, #KStateTF, 7,397 points
2. Dominic Gehr, Arizona, 6,709 points
3. Alex Bloom, Cincinatti, 6,689 points
Following a strong opening day, Taubert and Okorie were placed in second and fourth with three events to go in the women's heptathlon at the Jim Click Combined Events. In their first event on Friday, Okorie led the way with a jump of 5.74m/18-10 in the women's long jump, placing her second with 771 points in the event.
In the javelin portion of the heptathlon, Okorie and Taubert placed seventh and eighth in the event, placing them fourth and fifth in the heptathlon with the 800 meters remaining.
In the final event of the heptathlon, Taubert finished strong with a huge personal best in the 800 meters, running 2:14.72 to place second in the event, which moved her into fourth overall with 5,487 points. Okorie put together a solid effort to round out her day, running 2:22.92 to score 5,429 total points to place fifth in the heptathlon.
Both Taubert and Okorie notched new personal bests with their performances, where Taubert improved upon her previous best of 5,115 set at the Big 12 Championship in Lawrence, Kansas last season. Okorie also made notable improvements this weekend, registering four personal bests throughout the weekend, improving upon her previous best score of 5,251 set at the Big 12 Championships last year.
Scoring 5,487 points, sophomore Lauren Taubert finished fourth overall in the women's heptathlon with a new personal best! #KStateTF pic.twitter.com/QAmzDNn3IV
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) April 6, 2018
With the conclusion of the Jim Click Combined Events, the Wildcats will return to Roy P. Drachman Stadium in Tucson, Arizona on Saturday, as the Wildcats compete in the Jim Click Shootout which is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. CT. For a full list of entries, live results and more, click here.
For the latest on K-State track and field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
Jim Click Combined Events (Day Two)
Roy P. Drachman Stadium
Tucson, Arizona
Men's Decathlon 110-Meter Hurdles
5. Aaron Booth, 15.90 (-.2) (744 pts.) (P.R.)
Women's Heptathlon Long Jump
2. Ariel Okorie, 5.74m/18-10 (771 pts.)
5. Lauren Taubert, 5.54m/18-02.25 (712 pts.)
Men's Decathlon Discus
1. Aaron Booth, 39.27m/128-10 (650 pts.) (P.R.)
Women's Heptathlon Javelin
7. Ariel Okorie, 36.79m/120-08 (606 pts.)
8. Lauren Taubert, 34.32m/112-07 (559 pts.)
Men's Decathlon Pole Vault
2. Aaron Booth, 4.55m/14-11 (775 pts.) (P.R.)
Men's Decathlon Javelin
1. Aaron Booth, 56.71m/186-00 (688 pts.) (P.R.)
Women's Heptathlon 800 Meter Dash
2. Lauren Taubert, 2:14.72 (897 pts.) (P.R.)
6. Ariel Okorie, 2:22.92 (784 pts.)
Men's Decathlon 1500 Meter Run
4. Aaron Booth, 4:44.80 (650 pts.) (P.R.)
Women's Heptathlon Final Scores
4. Lauren Taubert, 5,487 points (P.R.)
5. Ariel Okorie, 5,429 points (P.R.)
Men's Decathlon Final Scores
1. Aaron Booth, 7,397 points
Players Mentioned
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