Bears Post Three Program Top-Ten Heptathlons

T&F2/3/2023 6:03 PM | By: Cal Athletics

McMorris Finishes Just Two Points Off Program Record

Heptathlon Results

California track & field’s multis squad completed its first 2023 competition as a group on Friday afternoon, with four heptathletes putting on stellar performances on Day Two of the WSU Open (hosted at The Podium in Spokane, Wash.).

Fresh off of his incredible first day in which he set three facility multi-event records, senior Hakim McMorris finished with a first-place total of 5870 points – just 2 off the program record – while also making his way up to sixth in program history in the 60m hurdles with his facility-record time of 7.95 and tying for third place with his pole vault PR of 4.62m (15-1.75).

Classmate Cole Whatley, competing in his first-ever heptathlon for the Bears, reached a total of 5242 points to rank eighth in program history while compiling additional personal bests in the 60m hurdles (8.47) and in the pole vault (4.42m/14-6), concluding his day with a second-place 2:46.91 in the 1000m run. Freshman Riley Knott also landed himself on the program’s all-time list, taking the No. 10 spot with 5011 points and adding a 60m hurdles PR of 8.52. Finally, senior Jono Pelusi (4949 total points) bookended the meet with his own facility record, racing to a first-place time of 2:44.16 in the 1000m run.

“There is always room to improve,” said assistant coach Dan Lefever, who leads the multis and vertical jumps groups, “but to get personal bests in a multi-event competition like this is always something to celebrate.

“I think it is a lot easier when you have a full squad (of multi-event athletes),” he continued. “You can celebrate each other and help to push through the hard events.”

 

Men’s Heptathlon – Day Two Results

1. Hakim McMorris (5870 points)(2^nd Cal history)(PR)

• 60m Hurdles: 7.95 (1^st place)(Facility Record)(6^th Cal history)(PR)
• Pole Vault: 4.62m/15-1.75 (T-3^rd place)(PR)
• 1000m: 2:50.78 (4^th place)

 
4. Cole Whatley (5242 points)(8^th Cal history)(PR)

• 60m Hurdles: 8.47 (3^rd place)(PR)
• Pole Vault: 4.42m/14-6 (8^th place)(PR)
• 1000m: 2:46.91 (2^nd place)

6. Riley Knott (5011 points)(10^th Cal history)(PR)

• 60m Hurdles: 8.52 (5^th place)(PR)
• Pole Vault: 4.22m/13-10 (T-10^th place)
• 1000m: 3:12.03 (13^th place)

 
8. Jono Pelusi (4949 points)

• 60m Hurdles: 9.14 (14^th place)
• Pole Vault: 4.82m/15-9.75 (1^st place)
• 1000m: 2:44.16 (1^st…