DES MOINES, Iowa – Ashton Eaton set a personal best by 263 points for a surprise victory in the decathlon at the NCAA track and field championships at Drake Stadium.
Eaton, who broke the collegiate 400-meter decathlon record, had personal bests in all his throwing events – the weakest part of his program – and finished with 8055 points. He had personal bests on each of his successful javelin throws.
Eaton trailed favorite Jangy Addy going into the 1500-meter, but Eaton’s third-place time of 4.33,05 beat the rival by more than 32 seconds (5.05,13) – a difference of 194 points. Addy had to settle for his second straight runner-up finish in a row, with 7916 points.