Aug. 6, 2006
Manhattan, Kan. -
University of Northern Iowa track and field assistant coach Travis Geopfert took 10th place this weekend at the Nike Combined Event Challenge. Competing in his fourth USA vs. Germany decathlon meet, Geopfert scored 7,183 points and had the best USA performance in the 1,500 meter run and the 400-meter dash.
Team USA used a remarkable comeback in the final events of the heptathlon and decathlon to capture the team titles.
In the decathlon, the United States captured its first team lead following the javelin, with a 30-point advantage (34,691 to 34,661). It was the first lead for the U.S. since the 100-meter dash early Saturday afternoon.
Team USA used a strong final effort from Geopfert. Geopfert did not figure into the final scoring, but his courageous performance spurred the Americans to victory. Geopfert, a two-time Drake Relays decathlon champion, held a one-lap lead but was overtaken by Arthur Abele and Johannes Schwuchow of Germany. With just 50-meters in front of him, Geopfert's right foot caught the rail on the inside of the track causing him to fall to the ground. He regained his composure and collapsed across the finish line for a third-place finish in 4:40.92. Trailing just behind Geopfert in the 1500 were Joe Cebulski, Will Thomas and Paul Terek. All three figured into the final team points.
The team scoring for the decathlon was made up from the top five athletes from each team. The United States finished with 37,792 points, while the Germans recorded 37,735. The point differential of 57 points is the smallest margin of victory by the United States since 1999, when the Americans defeated Germany by just five points in Aachen, Germany.
Geopfert went into today's competition in 12th place. He finished 12th in the 110-meter high hurdles (15.84) and placed seventh in the discus throw with a throw of 138-08. Geopfert also went on to place ninth in the pole vault (14-3.25) and eighth in the discus throw (161-05), along with his third place showing in the 1,500-meter run.
Agate Final Point Totals - Decathlon
1. Arthur Abele (GER), 7838; 2. Lars Albert (GER), 7824; 3. Chris Boyles (USA), 7672; 4. Will Thomas (USA), 7657; 5. Paul Terek (USA), 7630; 6. Joe Cebulski (USA), 7604; 7. Jacob Minah (GER), 7572; 8. Stefan Hommel (GER), 7469; 9. Ryan Olkowski (USA), 7229; 10. Travis Geopfert (USA), 7183; 11. Johannes Schwuchow (GER), 7032; DNF Simon Ruckdeschel; DNF Chris Randolph; DNF Marian Geisler.
Team Final Point Totals - Decathlon
1. United States, 37792; 2. Germany, 37735
