By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

GENEVA, Ohio -- Keaton Beckmann (So., Salem, OR/Sprague HS) of Willamette University finished 11th in the decathlon at the 2019 NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships after completing the final five events on Friday, May 24 at the Spire Institute. Beckmann earned a personal record score of 6,519 points, edging past his previous top score of 6,516 set at the 2019 Bearcat Invitational Multi two weeks ago. He remained seventh on Willamette's all-time list.

During Friday's competition, Beckmann set personal records in the discus throw and the 1,500-meter run. In the discus, he registered a top throw of 105' 0", breaking his previous top mark of 93' 8". He completed the 1,500 in 4:42.38. lowering his best time by more than two seconds. His top time prior to Friday was 4:44.60. Both of his previous top results in the discus and the 1,500 were at the 2019 Bearcat Invitational Multi. He didn't set a personal record in the javelin, but took second place in the event with a top toss of 171' 9".

Overall, Beckmann set three personal records and tied one top mark at the NCAA Championships. On Thursday, he ran the 100-meter dash in a personal-best time of 11.01 seconds and tied his career best in the high jump by clearing 5' 10".

Beckmann's top event score in the NCAA decathlon was 858 points in the 100-meter dash. He scored 787 points with a time of 50.60 seconds in the 400-meter dash, earned 7854 points by completing the 110-meter hurdles in 15.55 seconds, and tallied 750 points in the long jump with a top distance of 22' 1".

Will Daniels of Central College (Iowa) won the NCAA decathlon championship with a score of 7,427. He recorded the highest event score during the two days of competition when he ran the 100-meter dash in 10.74 seconds to secure 919 points in the very first event. He earned 790 or more in four other events.

Dylan Cooper from University of Wisconson-Eau Claire placed second overall with 7,251 points. Cody Faust from University of Wisconsin-Platteville was third at 6,951 points, and Leif Van Grinsven of Wheaten College (Ill.) was fourth at 6,849. Abrahm Schroedl of UW-Eau Claire was fifth at 6,837. A total of 20 student-athletes competed in the decathlon.

The NCAA Championships will conclude on Saturday, May 25. Willamette will be represented on Saturday by Keith Carlson (Sr., Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge HS), who will participate in the men's 5,000-meter run. The 5,000 is scheduled to begin at 3:25 p.m. (EDT)/12:25 p.m. (PDT).