O’Brien Will Go Forth As Hometown Hero In National Multi-Event Meet At Idaho

Decathlon world-record holder Dan O’Brien will be one of the featured athletes in the 1995 U.S.A. National Indoor Multi-Event Championships Friday and Saturday at the University of Idaho’s Kibbie Dome.

Men will compete in the seven-event heptathlon, with women going in the five-event pentathlon. The meet will serve as part of the selection process for the World Indoor Championships, which are to be held in Barcelona, Spain on March 10-12, 1995.

“It’s great to be staying at home,” said O’Brien, a Moscow resident. “I don’t have to acclimate to any time changes, or put up with any of the hassles of traveling. This is the place where I practice, and I am very comfortable and familiar with this track.”

O’Brien’s world-record mark of 6,476 from Toronto in 1993 could be in danger at this meet.

“We are expecting at least six or seven of the top 10 from the men and the women for this event,” predicted Idaho track coach Mike Keller, who also coaches O’Brien.

The men’s events include the 60-meter dash, the long jump, the shot put and the high jump on the first day. The second day will feature the 60-meter high hurdles, the pole vault and conclude with the 1,000-meter run.

The women’s five events are the 60-meter high hurdles, the high jump, the shot put, the long jump and finally the 800-meter run. The women will complete all five events on Friday.

“This should be a real treat for the fans,” O’Brien said.

Other top men’s competitors include Sheldon Blockburger, Paul Foxson, Drew Fucci and Chris Huffins. Each of these men scored in excess of 8,000 points in the decathlon last year.

On the women’s side, the top competitor should be Kym Carter. Heptathlon world-record holder Jackie Joyner-Kersee will skip the multi-event to concentrate on the long jump at the Indoor World Championships.

Starting times for the women’s events will be at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. The men will begin at 6:45 p.m. on Friday and at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday

Tickets cost $5.00 and will be available at the door.