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Ryan Olkowski of Penn State did something unique at the '02 NCAA Indoor, scoring in both the 200 and high jump. Understandably, he has turned his attention to the decathlon. Here's a release on his latest exploit (after debuting in the event at 7250 just a week earlier):
For Immediate Release
Contact: Frank Zarnowski
May 26, 2004
4th WGA ATHLETE NEAR OLYMPIC TRIALS QUALIFIER
(St. Louis). Ryan Olkowski, Penn State U. ’02, the “project” of the fledging Worlds Greatest Athlete Chiropractic Decathlon Club, came with 5 point of the automatic U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying mark while winning the Nittany Lion Spiked Shoe decathlon at his alma mater this past weekend. Olkowski, one of the few athletes in NCAA history to score both indoors and outdoors in both a running and a jumping event (200m and high jump), posted a lifetime best 7895 points to come within 5 digits of the Olympic Trials “A” standard., a mark only 9 have achieved with a month remaining in the qualifying season.
This is a great breakout performance for Ryan,” said Harry Marra, director of the national team. “Three other WGA decathletes have already qualified for the Trials: Tom Pappas, Paul Terek and Stephen Harris, so four of our five man team are sure to be in Sacramento.” The U.S. Track and Field Trials open July 9 in Sacramento, California. The decathlon event is scheduled for July 16-17.
Olkowski’s 450 point lifetime best improvement was eye-opening.
Olkowski college coach Harry Groves beamed at Ryan’s accomplishments. “I looked at the first day score and thought, maybe 8000,” said Groves. “When his throws get consistent he’ll be tough to handle.“ “There is much improvement to be made with Ryan, especially in the throws. But we are confident he’ll continue to grow. Getting to the Olympic Trials was just one step in his development,” continued Marra.
University of Pennsylvania assistant coach Jamie Cook was second with a 7853 score. Travis Geopfert, Cedar Falls, Iowa, was third with 7732.
For additional information on WGA CDC, contact Harry Marra, 805-610-9611 or at [email protected] . The progress of all WGA athletes can be tracked online at the WGA CDC site: www.decathlonusa.org.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Frank Zarnowski
May 26, 2004
4th WGA ATHLETE NEAR OLYMPIC TRIALS QUALIFIER
(St. Louis). Ryan Olkowski, Penn State U. ’02, the “project” of the fledging Worlds Greatest Athlete Chiropractic Decathlon Club, came with 5 point of the automatic U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying mark while winning the Nittany Lion Spiked Shoe decathlon at his alma mater this past weekend. Olkowski, one of the few athletes in NCAA history to score both indoors and outdoors in both a running and a jumping event (200m and high jump), posted a lifetime best 7895 points to come within 5 digits of the Olympic Trials “A” standard., a mark only 9 have achieved with a month remaining in the qualifying season.
This is a great breakout performance for Ryan,” said Harry Marra, director of the national team. “Three other WGA decathletes have already qualified for the Trials: Tom Pappas, Paul Terek and Stephen Harris, so four of our five man team are sure to be in Sacramento.” The U.S. Track and Field Trials open July 9 in Sacramento, California. The decathlon event is scheduled for July 16-17.
Olkowski’s 450 point lifetime best improvement was eye-opening.
Olkowski college coach Harry Groves beamed at Ryan’s accomplishments. “I looked at the first day score and thought, maybe 8000,” said Groves. “When his throws get consistent he’ll be tough to handle.“ “There is much improvement to be made with Ryan, especially in the throws. But we are confident he’ll continue to grow. Getting to the Olympic Trials was just one step in his development,” continued Marra.
University of Pennsylvania assistant coach Jamie Cook was second with a 7853 score. Travis Geopfert, Cedar Falls, Iowa, was third with 7732.
For additional information on WGA CDC, contact Harry Marra, 805-610-9611 or at [email protected] . The progress of all WGA athletes can be tracked online at the WGA CDC site: www.decathlonusa.org.