Kirchenstein Qualifies for Nationals in Decathalon in Mount Olive Last Chance Invite
MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – In their last attempt to qualify for nationals, the IU East men's and women's track team competed in the Mount Olive Multi event this weekend.
Freshman Rex Kirchenstein made the most of the weekend earning him a trip to the NAIA National Championships in the decathalon. Kirchenstein was out of the Top 16 heading into the event, but jumped his way to 14th. He scored 6,088 points to punch his ticket in the decathalon, 86 points above 16th place. He PR'd in eight of the 10 events, the 100m, 110 hurdles, 400 meters, 1500 meters, pole vault, javelin, shot put and discuss. His overall decathalon was a PR as well.
Kyler Schultz finished second second in the shot put with a mark of 14.16. Teammate Sam Houck was right behind him in third with a 13.02m throw, both personal bests. In Houck's next event, he finished 10th in the discus with a throw of 38.98m, another personal best. The duo was at it again in the hammer throw. Schultz finished in 7th (46.17m) and Houck finished 8th (44.60m). Schultz's 46.17m was a PR and a school record. Sam's last event was the javelin as he finished 8th with a throw of 33.83m.
On the women's side, Caitlin Gilland's shot put was good for a distance of 9.88m and 3rd place and a personal best. She then finished 9th in the discuss with a throw of 28.86m. In the hammer, Gilland was 11th and a distance of 34.17m.
Vanessa Temple finished 8th in the heptathalon with 3,048 points, which was also a personal best and a school record for a freshman. In the heptahalon, she PR'd in the long jump and the 200 meters.
Rex, alongside Cameron Nocton and Ty'Shaun Williams, will compete in the NAIA National Championships on May 24-26 hosted by Indiana Wesleyan.