Photo by: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Ziemek stands 10th after first day of Olympic decathlon
August 17, 2016 | Men's Track & Field
Wisconsin senior records 4,270 points through first five events
RIO DE JANEIRO – Wisconsin's Zach Ziemek opened his first Olympic Games with a decathlon score of 4,270 points, placing the senior 10th after the first day of competition in Rio de Janeiro.
The first Badger to compete in the decathlon at the Olympics, Ziemek stands as the top collegian through five events. Reigning NCAA champion Lindon Victor of Texas A&M is in 18th place with 4,125 points, UCLA's Pau Tonnesen is in 22nd with 3,985 points and Georgia's Karl Saluri and Maicel Uibo are in 26th and 27th, respectively.
"I didn't have the best day one," Ziemek said. "The first three events were a bit of a struggle, but I pulled it together in the high jump."
 "Zach is such a perfectionist," UW Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne said. "I know he is a little disappointed with a couple of his events today. However he is mature beyond his years and knows he's still in the competition and will come out tomorrow and give it his all.
"I know he's very capable of moving up the leaderboard day two."
Double Z began the day in third after running 10.71 seconds in the 100 meters to finish behind event favorites Ashton Eaton and Damien Warner.
Ziemek soared 24 feet, 7 inches, on his final attempt in the long jump to secure 932 points before recording a shot put mark of 44-4 1/2 to sit in 10th place after three events.
He shined in the high jump, clearing his first four bars on the way to matching his personal best of 6-10 3/4.
Ziemek clocked a time of 49.83 in the 400 to hit the halfway point of the competition in 10th place.
The second day of the decathlon begins at 7:30 a.m. (CT) on Thursday with the 110 hurdles and concludes at 7:45 p.m. with the 1500 meters, which will air live on NBC.
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The first Badger to compete in the decathlon at the Olympics, Ziemek stands as the top collegian through five events. Reigning NCAA champion Lindon Victor of Texas A&M is in 18th place with 4,125 points, UCLA's Pau Tonnesen is in 22nd with 3,985 points and Georgia's Karl Saluri and Maicel Uibo are in 26th and 27th, respectively.
"I didn't have the best day one," Ziemek said. "The first three events were a bit of a struggle, but I pulled it together in the high jump."
 "Zach is such a perfectionist," UW Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne said. "I know he is a little disappointed with a couple of his events today. However he is mature beyond his years and knows he's still in the competition and will come out tomorrow and give it his all.
"I know he's very capable of moving up the leaderboard day two."
Double Z began the day in third after running 10.71 seconds in the 100 meters to finish behind event favorites Ashton Eaton and Damien Warner.
Ziemek soared 24 feet, 7 inches, on his final attempt in the long jump to secure 932 points before recording a shot put mark of 44-4 1/2 to sit in 10th place after three events.
He shined in the high jump, clearing his first four bars on the way to matching his personal best of 6-10 3/4.
Ziemek clocked a time of 49.83 in the 400 to hit the halfway point of the competition in 10th place.
The second day of the decathlon begins at 7:30 a.m. (CT) on Thursday with the 110 hurdles and concludes at 7:45 p.m. with the 1500 meters, which will air live on NBC.
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