Lindon Victor Sets NCAA Decathlon Record
Lindon Victor [Texas A&M Senior / 2016 Grenadian Olympian] set the NCAA Decathlon Record at the Texas Relays with 8472 points, as the former collegiate record holder, Trey Hardee, competed in select events during the same competition.
On April 6th, 2006, Trey Hardee finished the Texas Relays Decathlon on his home track. Hardee totaled 8465 points after the ten-event competition, breaking the former collegiate record by 2 points over a decade ago. Eleven years later, Mike A. Myers Stadium hosted another record-breaking decathlon. This time the record was broke by 7 points.
(Trey Hardee's 2006 Texas Relays Marks: 10.35s - 7.70m - 14.45m - 1.99m - 49.11s --- 13.83s - 48.24m - 5.20m - 60.00m - 5:06.72)
Heading into the final and most grueling event of the decathlon, Lindon Victor had to run 4:50.2 in the 1500m to break Hardee's record. With a PR 1500m of 4:43, it seemed as though the record was going to be shattered, but nothing is ever a given in the decathlon - every point is earned.
77 seconds per lap would equal 4:49 for1500m [1:17 at 400m- 2:34 at 800m - 3:51 at 1200m with 300m left to muscle out on pace.] In pursuit of the Collegiate Record, Victor went through 400m in 1:15 but slowed through 800m, coming by in 2:36. The next 700m required him to pick up the pace, otherwise there would not be a new college record. From 800m to 1200m, Victor seemed to be fading, but with 300m to go, he put together a buzzer beating kick to best a 4:50.2 performance.
4:48.89 to complete the decathlon and tally 8472 points - A new Collegiate Decathlon Record for Lindon Victor!
Photo By Errol Anderson
Lindon Victor - Texas Relays 2017 - Collegiate Decathlon Record
100m - 10.63s
Long Jump - 7.37m
Shot Put - 16.52m
High Jump - 2.09m
400m - 48.24s
110m Hurdles - 14.92
Discus - 53.00m
Pole Vault - 4.30m
Javelin - 66.69m
1500m - 4:48.89
Decathlon - 8472 points
When assessing Trey Hardee's former Collegiate Record from 2006, the first nine events are spectacular. Speed, strength, technical skill, power - everything is there. Against the field, he won eight of ten events! That is what a record is supposed to look like.
The extreme heat and Hardee's 210lb frame explain the average performance final event in 2006, where he finished up with a 5:09 metric mile. The 100m through the Javelin, however, are special marks that many look to achieve in open events, outside the decathlon.
Victor's decathlon was not as spotless event to event. Yes, his throws are absolutely on a different level than any other current decathlete, and blow away Hardee's CR marks from 2006. Victor's 16.52m Shot Put and 53.00m Discus throw at the Texas Relays would have placed first in the Olympic Decathlon in Rio! (He did win the discus in Rio this past summer.) Along with the dominant marks there are also sub par marks.
A 14.94s 110m Hurdle performance scores well in The Gold Book on the Decathlon Tables, but comparatively it does not score so well. Victor was the fastest 100m runner at Texas Relays and the 7th fastest Hurdler in a 15 man field. Later in Day 2, his Pole Vault performance just about erased his shot at the Collegiate Record. A clearance of 4.30m (14-01) became Victor's only clearance. Earlier this year at the NCAA Indoor Track Championships, Victor cleared 4.76m (15-07) which would add 135 points to his total score!
With how great of a performance this was, Lindon Victor is capable of more, and he knows it. According to Texas A&M's website, 12thman.com, Victor says "I don't think my record will last as long as Trey's did. I think it will only last a few months, until I do my next one."
Speed, power, strength, endurance, a balanced skill set and CONFIDENCE. That's what makes a great decathlete. Lindon Victor set Personal Records in just 3 of 10 events throughout his Collegiate Record. With the SEC and NCAA Championships still on the schedule, it's not crazy to believe Victor has more in the tank and can put this record out of reach. It's a beautiful thing to know that the GOAT of the NCAA Decathlon has time on his side.
The SEC Outdoor Championships begin May 11th, 2017 and the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships begin June 7th, 2017
Tom FitzSimons is a professional decathlete who represents the Santa Barbara Track Club. Over the course of six USA National Championships / Olympic Trials appearances, Tom has placed himself on the podium once, placed 4th overall in the 2015 US Championships and competed for Team USA internationally twice. Less important, but just as entertaining, Tom holds a Guinness World Record - Check it out here. He is the host and owner of all things related to The Athletic Experience.
