SEARCY, Ark.  – Competition at the 2017 Great American Conference Track and Field Championships hosted by Harding University at Ted Lloyd Track opened with the first five events of the labor-intensive decathlon. Southern Arkansas was well represented on Thursday afternoon as freshman Richard Barkhimer and sophomore Tyler Shelton each finished the day amongst the top three with five events left on Friday to decide a champion.
 
The duo combined for six top-three placements and five season best performances in the first five events that included the 100 meter, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400 meter.
 
Barkhimer led the way with four top-three finishes that included a third-place showing in the 100 meter, a pair of second-place finishes (long jump and shot put) and tying Shelton for the best mark in the high jump as he finished day one ranked second among nine competitors with 3,307 points. The Camden, Arkansas, native trails Oklahoma Baptist's Andrew Worley who holds the top spot with 3,545 points.
 
Shelton currently sits in third place after the first day with 3,176 points and holds a two-point lead over Harding's James Howard. The Texarkana, Texas, native registered season-best marks in the long jump (20' 11 ¾") and shot put (32' ¼") and a season best time of 53.22 in the 400 meter. Additionally, Shelton tied Barkhimer for the top spot in the high jump event.
 
Competition in the decathlon concludes Friday with the 110 hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500 meter events.
 
DECATHLON DAY 1 (5 events)
2^nd – Richard Barkhimer (3,307 points)
3^rd – Tyler Shelton (3,176 points)
 
100 Meter (9)
3^rd – Richard Barkhimer (11.51) – 750 points
8^th – Tyler Shelton (12.07) - 637
 
Long Jump (9)
2^nd – Richard Barkhimer (21' 8 ¾") – 725 points
3^rd – Tyler Shelton (20' 11 ¾") – 673 – Season Best
 
Shot Put (9)
2^nd – Richard Barkhimer (35' ½") – 527 points – Season Best
6^th – Tyler Shelton (32' ¼") – 471 – Season Best
 
High Jump (9)
T-1^st – Richard Barkhimer (6' 3 ¼") – 723 points – Season Best
T-1^st – Tyler Shelton (6' 3 ¼") – 723
 
400 Meter (9)
6^th – Tyler Shelton (53.22) – 672 points – Season Best
8^th – Richard Barkhimer (55.42) – 582
 
UP NEXT
Championship action resumes on Friday with Barkhimer and Shelton competing in the remaining decathlon events, while the men's hammer throw and triple jump events will take place as well as the men's 3000 Steeple and 10,000 meter. For full tournament heat sheets, live streaming and live result links, click here.