Results

AZUSA, Calif. - Avery Wright got her heptathlon off to a terrific start at the Franson Last Chance in California, putting herself on a personal-best pace in a bid to secure her NCAA Championships spot.

Through four events, Wright is the top attached competitor in the 18-woman field with 3,160 points, putting her third overall. Coming into the weekend in the 16th and final national qualifying spot with her program-record 5,057 points set at the Kit Mayer Classic, Wright is on pace to improve upon that when competition resumes on Friday.

Wright started the day with a 14.49-second 100-hurdles - her second-fastest career time and the #3 all-time run in program history - to score 910 points before clearing 1.49m for 610 points in the high jump. She then recorded a huge personal-best in the shot put at 13.30m - a 67-centimeter improvement on her previous best - to add 747 seconds, then ended with a strong 24.94-second 200m time for 893 more points. The shot put performance moved her to #6 all-time at Mines, while the 200m time was the second-best of her career and the program's #6 all-time performance.

The long jump, javelin, and 800m await Wright on Friday, while a number of Orediggers join her in competition at the meet in track action. Mines will also have vaulters at the Air Force Twilight on Friday.