Dumitrescu, Pfleger Compete for Kent State at NCAA Championships Thursday
6/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field, Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
Dumitrescu stands in 10th through four events of the heptathlon; Pfleger takes 20th place in hammer throw
DES MOINES, Iowa – On the shoulders of a second-place finish among her fellow heptathlon competitors in the shot put, Kent State junior Diana Dumitrescu (Campulung Arges, Romania) is in 10th place through four events at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by Drake University.
Despite a weather delay that pushed back the competition schedule over an hour and moved part of the decathlon indoors (high jump), the Golden Flashes showed mental toughness in the face of the unexpected schedule adjustments.
Dumitrescu's third and final shot of 13.16m (43-2 ¼) on Thursday moved her into second place in the 24-competitor field and was just two inches off the top shot. Dumitrescu was also impressive in the high jump, where she tied for fifth with three competitors with her effort of 1.69m (5-6 ½).
"Diana had a great first day," said Kent State Director of Track and Field Bill Lawson. "Even with the hour delay, she handled herself well and had her best performance of the year on the hurdles.
"Diana showed the kind of competitor she is this afternoon," continued Lawson. "She was able to move up the board with great performances, especially with her final throw in the shot put. She really showed her composure."
The Kent State junior placed 21st in the 100-meter hurdles and 20th in the 200-meter run, where she battled a stiff headwind in her flight, to wrap up Thursday's action in the heptathlon. Dumitrescu's point total is 3,262 through four events.
Dumitrescu, who is aiming to improve on her sixth-place finish last season, is back in action for the final three events of the heptathlon on Friday, starting at 4 p.m. with the long jump. The top eight in the heptathlon earn first-team All-America honors.
"The long jump is one of her best events, and she's in great position to start Friday off with a good effort," said Lawson.
Kent State senior Matthew Pfleger (Garrettsville, Ohio) finished the hammer throw in 20th place after an opening-round throw of 60.97m (200-0). Pfleger was unable to better his opening effort, finishing 11th in the first prelims.
Lawson was impressed with Pfleger's performance in his final competition as a collegian.
"As a staff, we are very proud of Matt's performance to get to this point," said Lawson. "Matt threw very well today. It can be a challenge being the first competitor in an event, and Matt had a strong performance to finish among the top 20 in the country."
Kent State's Melissa Kurzdorfer (Lancaster, N.Y.) will aim for All-America honors on Friday in the hammer throw, which is slated to begin at 3 p.m.
