Tag: Ayden Owens-Delerme

Ayden Owens-Delerme set to miss SEC, NCAA Decathalon

Arkansas Razorbacks track and field team takes a hit with senior Ayden Owens-Delerme ruled out for the Outdoor SEC and NCAA Decathlon Championships. 

Arkansas Razorbacks track and field team takes a hit with senior Ayden Owens-Delerme ruled out for the Outdoor SEC and NCAA Decathlon Championships.

Owens-Delerme has been ruled out because of nagging injuries the former champion has been dealing with all season. 

“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.

Arkansas gets a track-and-field national champion

Ayden Owens-Delerme captured the decathlon national championship on Thursday.

Arkansas junior Ayden Owens-Delerme is an NCAA champion.

Owens-Delerme tied the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships record with 8,457 points to capture the decathlon crown. The title is the first in Arkansas history for the event.

Owens-Delerme also won the heptathlon at the indoor championships in the winter.

A native of Pittsburgh and a transfer from Michigan, Owens-Delerme ran a 4-minute, 29.54-second 1,500 meters to capture the win over Texas’ Leo Neugebauer, who finished second with 8,362 points.

Owens-Delerme captured the title on the strength of his a personal-best in the discus throw and in running the 110-meter hurdles in 13.93 seconds.

The Championships continue Friday beginning at 3 p.m. CT with the Women’s Hep 100-meter hurdles. The trophy ceremony begins at 10:30 CT.