Azusa Pacific’s Clay Heads to Olympics with Record Trial Win

AZUSA, CA (07/01/2008)(readMedia)-- Azusa Pacific 2002 alumnus Bryan Clay, 28, may be best known as the Olympic Trials come-back kid, turning a disappointing day-one performance into a history-making first-place finish. The Hawaii native secured one of three coveted spots on the Beijing-bound U.S. decathlon team at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. this week, and set a new Olympic trials record in the decathlon with 8,832 points, a personal record, and also the best mark in the United States in 16 years and best in the world in the last 4.

The August Games mark Clay's second Olympic appearance, following his silver-medal win at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Clay overcame a tough first day, capturing a 22-point lead by day's end with a total 4,476 points, and appearing strong in the 100m (10.39, personal best) and high jump (2.08m/6-9.75). On day two, he took first in the discus (52.7m [173-0]) and javelin (70.55m [231-05]). Clay clinched the win by nearly 300 points over competitors Trey Hardee and Tom Pappas, who secured second and third respectively.

"Bryan was a little cautious yesterday," said Kevin Reid, one of Clay's coaches and head track and field coach at Azusa Pacific. "Today he settled in and performed as the contender we believe he will be to win the gold in Beijing."

"It's a privilege to be in Bryan's corner as one of his coaches," said Mike Barnett, who also serves as head women's track and field coach at APU. "He competed extremely well. He's healthy, and we're looking forward to the next six weeks of training as he prepares for the Games. Clay, Hardee, and Pappas will represent the U.S. well in Beijing."

For complete results, visit www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicTrials-TF/results/F39.asp.

To read Clay's NBC Olympic profile, visit www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=148/bio/index.html.

To view a behind-the-scenes video on Clay and his family life, visit www.apu.edu/stories/bclay/. For more information on Clay and how you can support his efforts in Beijing, visit www.bryanclay.com.

Featured in TIME magazine and ranked as one of the nation's best by U.S.News & World Report and The Princeton Review, Azusa Pacific is a comprehensive, Christian, evangelical university, committed to God First and known for excellence in higher education. Azusa Pacific's main campus lies just 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley, while its seven Southern California regional centers bring convenience and extend quality programming. The university offers more than 60 areas of undergraduate study, 26 master's degree programs, and 7 doctorates to a total student population of more than 8,100. For more information, visit www.apu.edu.

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