WCU Athlete Competes in Olympic Trials

The following is a press release from the West Chester University Athletic Department.

Former West Chester University track & field All-American Eric Broadbent finished 14th in the men's decathlon at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, over the weekend.

Broadbent posted 6,652 points in the mult-event. His two best events were the 110-meter high hurdles (889 points) and the long jump (888 points). He also put up 863 points in the 100m dash. As expected, Broadbent performed his best on the first day of the two-day competition, eclipsing 4,000 points in his first five events. However, the 2008 graduate of WCU failed to earn any points in the pole vault on day two, finishing with no height.

Broadbent ran 10.99 seconds in the 100m  and leaped 23 feet, 11 3.4 inches in the long jump to open things up in the men's decathlon. He then put the shot 40-9 1/2 and cleared 6-7 in the high jump. Broadbent then posted a time of 49.73 in the 400m.

In the final five events, Broadbent opened up with a 14.68 in the 110 high hurdles. He then threw the discus 112-11. Broadbent could not clear 13-5 /4 in the pole vault and finished without a score. He finished the decathlon throwing the javelin 152-2 and running the 1500m in 4:46.10.

Ashton Eaton won the men's decathlon with a world record total of 9,039 points. Trey Hardee placed second with 8,383 points and Gray Horn was third with 7,954.