GENEVA, Ohio – Eastern Oregon University track and field student-athlete Robbie Haynie defended his national title in the heptathlon at the NAIA Indoor National Championships in record-breaking fashion.
The senior won the multi-event showcase with a new NAIA Indoor National Championship meet record point total of 5,781. The previous record set in 2009 by Oklahoma Baptist’s John Hilton at 5,519. Haynie’s point total is currently the ninth best of any collegian. During the two days of events, he broke the heptathlon high jump and the heptathlon pole vault national championship records. The second place finisher had a 5,152 point total.
After setting a personal day one best Thursday, Haynie continued with a strong second day Friday. He started the day with a first place finish in the 60-meter hurdles with an 8.49 finish, a new personal record.
The sixth event of the heptathlon the pole vault, Haynie’s specialty, marked another record. The 17 feet, seven inch vault smashed his own record in the heptathlon set in the 2011 National Championships. His 5.35 meter vault is a new personal record and the top mark in the NAIA this season, not just in the heptathlon, but by any pole vaulter. It is currently the 17th best mark of any collegian this season.
The final event was a sixth-place finish in the 1,000 meters. His time of 2:47.36 is another personal record.
On day one, Haynie started the day with a fifth place finish in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.25, the top time for EOU this season. The Nampa, Idaho, native then totaled 739 points with a fourth place finish in the long jump with a top mark of 21 feet, 11 inches, another season best for the Mountaineers.
The third event of day one was the shot put, and Haynie had a top toss of 40 feet, 10.5 inches. He had his top point grossing event in the high jump, the final event of the day. His 934 points came after a seven feet, .25 inch leap. Walters came in second at six feet, 8.75 inches. The mark is .25 inches short of Thad Hathaway's school record in the event set in 1994. The mark matches the highest leap this season in the NAIA.
After the heptathlon on the second day, Haynie then finished third in the high jump. His top mark of six feet, 9.75 inches led to sixth All-American finish while at EOU. The senior looks to defend his indoor pole vault national title Saturday.
Asa Miller added an All-Amercian finish in the high jump for Eastern. The senior came in sixth place with a top leap of six feet, six inches.
Alma Garcilazo raced to a third place finish in her heat to qualify for Saturday’s 800-meter final. The 2:11.68 time was just off her school-record pace of 2:11.48. She finished second in the event last season. Kimmy Moore finished the 400 meters with a time of 59.63, matching her seed time.
Five Mountaineers compete on the final day of the national championships Saturday. John Ellingson and Haynie begin the day with the pole vault at 10:15 a.m. PST. Live results are available on EOUSports.com.