The blazing sun and blistering heat today brought a handful of personal bests for athletes competing in day one of the NACAC Combined Events Championship held at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility.
In the women’s heptathlon, American Michelle Atherley holds a 143-point lead over compatriot Ashtin Mahler as the two battle for NACAC gold and the World Championship qualification that comes with it.
Atherley, who amassed 3690 points on day one, said coming out of the US Championships in Arkansas last week, her goal today was to stay consistent and take every event as it comes.
“My legs are a little bit jelly,” Atherley said. “But… I try to push through as much as I can and I think the events went pretty smooth.”
Heading into day two, Atherley says she’s focused on getting more power into her javelin throw and running a smart 800m.
“Traveling over here and competing against people from other countries is really exciting,” she said. “This is my first overseas meet in a couple of years.”
Currently sitting in second place with 3547 points, Mahler said day one has been hit and miss. Mahler didn’t hit any personal records today, but she said she’s hoping to get close to one in the long jump tomorrow.
In the meantime, she said she’s focused on racking up points to move up in the global rankings and qualify for July’s World Championships.
In the men’s decathlon, Bahamian Ken Mullings leads the way with an overall score of 3990 after taking top spot in each of the five events on day one.
Grading his performance today as a “B,” Mullings said he was a little disappointed in his high jump and 100m but felt good about his finish in the 400m.
Mullings said heading into tomorrow, he’s feeling confident and ready to test himself endurance-wise.
“It means a lot [to be here today],” Mullings said. “Bahamas picked me to go. I feel really happy and proud to represent my country.”
Sitting in third after day one of the heptathlon, a mere 99 points behind Mahler, is Canada’s Nicole Ostertag. A university senior, Ostertag said she surprised herself with three personal bests today, but “couldn’t have asked for a better day one.”
In her first competition donning the red and white of Team Canada, Ostertag said she’s excited about day two’s events but is focusing on staying relaxed to perform at her best.
“[Competing for Team Canada] has been a dream of mine and wearing Canada across my chest is a big deal,” Ostertag said.
Also competing for Team Canada this weekend, veteran decathlete Rostam Turner finished day one with 3793 points and a two centimetre personal best in high jump. With day two featuring one of his favourite events, discus, Turner said he’s looking forward to seeing how close to first place he can get.
“I’m usually better on day two anyway, so I think I can maybe try to close that gap.”