An “Honorable” Way To Finish A Collegiate Career

Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information

Sam Houston’s Matt Johnson finished 15th in the men’s decathlon finals at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Johnson scored 7,697 points.

His 15th place finish earns the Bearkat senior honorable mention All-America honors.

Starting Thursday’s action with a sixth place 14.56 clocking in the 110 meter hurdles and a decathlon personal best of 156 feet 10 inches in the discus, Johnson climbed into seventh place overall after seven events.

He ended the day with a 16th place finish in the pole vault (14 feet, nine inches), 11th in the javelin (176 feet, five inches) and a 4:52.83 time in the 1500 meters.

The top eight finishers in the event were named as first team All-America and places nine through 16 were second team selections.

Johnson finished just 51 points out of the top 12.

Johnson started Thursday in 14th place after scoring 3,962 points in the initial five events held Wednesday afternoon.

Johnson started Wednesday placing fifth in the 100 meters with a time of 10.70.

He was 15th in the long jump with a leap of 23 feet, 3.25 inches.

In the shot put, Johnson placed 10th with a throw of 44 feet, 5.5 inches.

He was 22nd in the high jump, clearing 6 feet 1.5 inches. Johnson completed Wednesday’s action with a 13th place 50.10 in the 400 meters.

Charles White is the second Sam Houston track and field athlete who has earned a trip to Eugene.

White will compete in the triple jump Saturday evening.