CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Through one day of competition at the Jack Jennett Open, hosted by Northern Iowa, junior James Brandenburg sits atop the heptathlon standings with 2,971 points.
Brandenburg claimed victories in the 60-meter dash (7.14) and long jump, the latter of which he was particularly impressive. Brandenburg's winning distance of 7.10m (23-03.50) earned him 838 points, helping to give him an overall advantage of 237 points heading into day two.
Brandenburg also recorded top-five finishes in the high jump and the shot put, where he placed third and fourth, respectively. His distance of 11.81m (38-09.00) in the shot put marks a new personal-best.
Competing in the first heptathlon of his career, junior Derek Wegman also had a solid showing on day one. Wegman's best performance of the day occurred in the high jump, where he finished second with a height of 1.98m (6-06.00). The 785 points that he earned in this event propelled him into sixth overall (2,620 points) after the first day of competition.
Wegman posted a strong performance in the long jump as well, where he leaped a personal-best 6.38m (20-11.25), finishing fourth.
The duo will resume competition at the Jack Jennett Open tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. Illinois State pentathletes Jordyn Bruce, Tessa Holland, and Ashlee Stieler will also be in action, with the pentathlon competition getting underway at 10:45 a.m.
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