Eaton sets three PBs in Princeton, is set for Millrose Multi Challenge

PRINCETON, NJ –– In his first time competing in OTC Elite kit, University of Oregon grad Ashton Eaton set three personal bests and won three out of four events at the Princeton Relays on January 21 and 22.
On Friday the 22nd, Eaton recorded a 3 ½-foot PR in the shot put, with a mark of 14.18 meters/46-6 ¼, to win a special section of the event. His previous best of 43 ¼ was set at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayeteville, Arkansas last March, when Eaton set the world record in the indoor heptathlon.
OTC Elite coach Harry Marra, who has been working with Eaton since the fall of 2009, was most impressed with Eaton’s consistency.
“His series was steady,” Marra said. “Every throw was a PR.
“We spent all fall trying to have Ashton gain a concept about what throwing is all about,” Marra added. “Being the good athlete and the good student he is, he now has a understanding of what throwing is all about. Now, the next phase, is practicing.”
On Saturday, Eaton’s success continued. First he cleared 5.10m/16-8 ¾  to win the pole vault. Then Eaton went 7.68-seconds in the 60m hurdles for another win and another PB – which bested his 2010 best of 7.77. His 7.68 is the fourth fastest time in the world right now. (Watch Video Here)
“He looked good, but not super sharp,” Marra said of both the pole vault and the hurdles. “It’s the first meet of the year, so he’s not supposed to be sharp. But he did well, and I think it’s a harbinger of good things to come.”
Eaton finished off the weekend with his third PR: a 1:55.90 in the 800 meters, which was his first official time running the two-lap event.
Eaton, a three-time NCAA decathlon champion and the 2010 Bowerman Award winner, will now head to the Millrose Games in New York City, to compete against the reigning Olympic decathlon and World Indoor heptathlon champion Brian Clay and 2009 World decathlon champion Trey Hardee in the Millrose Multi Challenge. Two other competitors: Jake Arnold (two-time NCAA champion) and Curtis Beach (Duke University) will round out the field of five athletes, who will compete in the shot put, the 60m hurdles, and the high jump.
“A young guy like Ashton is going up against veterans like Hardee, Clay and Arnold, who are all experienced guys,” Marra said. “He’s a great competitor. He’s focused and I think he’ll do well.”
The Multi Challenge takes place on January 28, beginning with the shot put at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and continuing with the 60m hurdles at 6:30 p.m. and the high jump at 8:15 p.m. The 104th Millrose Games will be televised live from Madison Square Garden at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Becky Radliff
OTC Elite Media Relations
(541) 343-7247
[email protected]