BYU's Ben Barton clinched the decathlon national championship at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday night, winning the two-day competition in dramatic fashion. The 6-foot-5 senior from Michigan settled the title in the 10th and final event, overtaking Louisville's Kenneth Byrd.
After nine events, Barton trailed Byrd by 50 points, with Louisville's Luuke Pelkmans just 201 points behind him. Barton's performance in the final event proved decisive, securing the victory for the Cougars.
Meanwhile, BYU freshman Jane Hedengren entered the 10,000-meter run as a heavy favorite but failed to secure the title. The Provo native's race did not unfold as expected, leaving her short of the championship.
The victory adds to BYU's strong showing at the national meet, though no immediate details on the team standings were provided. Barton's win highlights the program's depth in multi-event disciplines.
Barton's next competition schedule was not announced. Hedengren will look to rebound in future events as the outdoor season continues.