Chico State senior decathlete John Brunk opened the track & field season with an NCAA Automatic Qualifying total of 7,201 points, to earn a share of the Chico Multi Invitational title with teammate J Patrick Smith – the two time defending NCAA decathlon champion.
Brunk's decathlon personal best ensured his place at the starting line of the NCAA Championships in Allendale, Mich., May 22-24. His total would have been the fourth best heading into the Division II National Championships last season. It’s also the fifth best PR in Chico State history.
Brunk posted personal records in six of 10 events: the 100 meters, long jump and shot put Thursday and 110-hurdles, discus and pole vault Friday.
He entered the final event, the 1,500 meters, in third place, 60 points behind Smith. But his winning time was 9.6 seconds faster than Smith’s, resulting in a tie.
A few hours later Brunk was on the road to the Kim Duyst Invitational in Turlock where he notched yet another PR in the discus with a heave of 129-feet-6. He also ran the opening leg for the second-place 4x400-relay team.
Brunk and the Wildcats team are back in action this Saturday, traveling to Arcata to compete in the Humboldt State Dual Meet.
