IRVINE, Calif. — UC San Diego senior Sam Betz delivered a historic performance at the Big West Conference Championships, becoming the first Triton to score in the decathlon at the Division I conference meet while moving into the program's all-time top 10.

Betz finished seventh overall in the decathlon with 5,889 points, earning two team points for the Tritons and climbing to No. 7 in UC San Diego history in the event.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Competing across 10 events over two days at Anteater Stadium, Betz opened the decathlon with an 11.57 performance in the 100 meters before posting a mark of 6.10 meters in the long jump and a throw of 10.84 meters in the shot put. He cleared 1.64 meters in the high jump and closed the first day with a time of 55.48 in the 400 meters.

On the second day, Betz clocked 17.81 in the 110-meter hurdles and recorded one of his strongest performances of the meet in the discus, throwing 38.93 meters to place fourth in the field. He followed with a clearance of 3.91 meters in the pole vault before delivering another standout mark in the javelin, launching a throw of 54.79 meters that also ranked fourth overall in the competition.

Betz wrapped up the decathlon with a time of 5:12.00 in the 1,500 meters to secure his seventh-place finish and scoring position.

TRITON TIDBITS

• Sam Betz became the first UC San Diego athlete to score in the decathlon at the Division I Big West Championships.
• Betz's 5,889 points rank No. 7 all-time in UC San Diego program history.

UP NEXT
The Tritons will next compete at the Big West Track & Field Championships on May 15-16 on the campus of Long Beach State.

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.