Arkansas Razorbacks track and field team takes a hit with senior Ayden Owens-Delerme ruled out for the Outdoor SEC and NCAA Decathlon Championships.
“To put him in the best position to medal at the World Championships, we feel like the wear and tear of two decathlons (at the SEC and NCAA meets) before that takes place would be a detriment,” said Chris Buckingham, Arkansas men’s coach Bucknam.
The Co-SEC Outdoor Scholar-Athlete Of The Year will participate in the 400-meter hurdles and be in the pool for the 400- and 1,600-meter relays.
“We’ve come to the conclusion that what’s best for him long-term is to focus on the 400 hurdles and the relays — give him that break from the decathlon so he can go on and prepare for the World Championships.”
The World Championship is set to take place August 25-26 in Budapest, Hungary. He finished fourth in last year’s World Championship, scoring a career-best 8,532 points for Puerto Rico.