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http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/index.ssf/2010/06/ncaa_track_field_championships_19.html

EUGENE - Portland State men's decathlete Nick Trubachik might go largely unnoticed during the NCAA Track & Field Championships this week at Hayward Field in Eugene. But his presence very much carries historical significance for the Vikings program.

Trubachik is Portland State's first men's athlete to compete in the national track meet since Portland State returned to Division I in 1997.
    
"I'm just trying to work really hard and getting PSU's name out there is a good thing," he said. "Hopefully our program can pick it up."

A good performance by Trubachik could help. After five decathlon events through Thursday, Trubachik was in 11th place with a score of 3,846. The leader was Oregon's Ashton Eaton with a score of 4,500.

Trubachik, from Estacada, began slow on Thursday but rallied late. He set personal bests for decathlon races in the 100 meters with a time of 11. 41 but that was only good for 18th. His long jump of 21-10 ½ was only good for 20th. Then he came back to finish seventh in the shot put (44-08), third in the high jump (6-7 ½) and ninth in the 400 (50.03) to finish the day 11th overall.

Trubachik said he hoped to finish in the top eight, which would make him an All-American.

"I feel pretty good," he said. "I finished strong, hopefully I can carry it over into tomorrow."
   
The next five events will take place Friday. Trubachik said he felt good about his chances to make up ground with strong performances in the javelin and discus.

"We're getting a lot of guys coming in that are just recognizing how our program is doing," he said. "We have some good sprinters and our multi-program is picking up."

Women's hammer: Georgia sophomore Nikola Lomnicka didn't intend to make such a good throw her on first attempt in the finals of the women's hammer on Thursday.

Her objective was just to remain smooth, not foul and start with a solid throw.

The result was a throw of 210-7. That distance proved far enough to win. But she wasn't done. Relaxed, she dug deep enough to finish with a throw of 215-1.

Placing second was Virginia Tech junior Dorotea Habazin with a throw of 210-2.

Lomnicka said her first throw in an event isn't typically so good. But by not over throwing, she was able to allow her mechanics to do the work.

Men's 110 meter hurdles: Oklahoma junior Ronnie Ash lived up to his favorite status in the men's 110 meter hurdles by running the fastest time of the day in the prelims at 13.32.

In Saturday's finals, Ash will face LSU sophomore Barrett Nugent, who won his heat with a time of 13.52, and Lehann Fourie, who won his heat with a time of 13.53.

Women's 100 meter hurdles: Virginia Tech senior Queen Quedith Harrison ran a 12.68 in the women's 100 meter hurdles to win her heat with the best time of any competitor in Thursday's prelims.

Miami junior Ti'erra Brown ran a 12.74 to win her heat and appears to be Harrison's top competition for Saturday's finals.

Tickets going fast: Thursday's announced attendance was 11,172 and as of 8 p.m. Thursday night there were 450 tickets available for today and 150 for Saturday.