May 2, 2008

Results not available for first day of competition.

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Decathletes kicked off the opening events today at the 2008 BIG EAST Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Jumbo Elliot Track in Villanova, Pa. Marquette University's Tom Sage is in 10th place after day one, while teammate Shawn McLarney had to discontinue competition due to injury.

"Tom really had kind of an average day for him," said head coach Bert Rogers. "He's got some work to do tomorrow. It's his senior season and his last conference meet, so I think he'll be ready to come out and compete hard."

McLarney, who at last weekend's Marquette Twilight meet re-aggravated a lower abdominal-upper hip flexor injury originally sustained during the indoor season, was physically well enough to participate in the 100-meters, high jump, long jump and shot put Friday before backing out of the competition rather than risk further injury.

Events will continue tomorrow and the meet will wrap up on Sunday, May 4. Live video streaming is available at www.bigeast.tv.

"It was a beautiful day at Villanova and the rest of the team was able to get a good practice in," Rogers said. "We're ready to go for tomorrow. The teams are excited to show what they can do."