Ashton Eaton

Eaton graduated from the University of Oregon the same year.

At the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Eaton placed fifth overall. Read Less

The first in the 100-meters (10.21), and then in the long jump. To emphasize the quality of Eaton's first two marks, the 100-meters time equalled the minimum (season wide) time required for men to qualify for the trials 100-meters race and only .03 short of the Olympic "A" standard. The long jump was farther than the top qualifier in the long jump preliminary round held that same day at the trials, beyond the "A" standard, and would have tied for second in the final. He went on to finish fifth in the shot put, first in the high jump, and first in the 400-meters (46.70) held in a pouring rainstorm. After day one, Eaton's points total of 4728 was more than 300 points ahead of second-place competitor Trey Hardee. On the second day of competition, Eaton finished first in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.70. In the discus, however, he had an eighth place finish. He bounced back in the pole vault, posting a height of, good enough for first place. In the javelin throw, Eaton had a distance of for fifth place. Going into the final event, the 1500-meter run, Eaton held a 317-point lead over his closest competitor, Hardee. Eaton ran a new personal best in the 1500-meters with a time of 4:14.48, finishing first. Read Less

Eaton's 10.35 100 metres was the top time of the day, with Hardee the next best. His 8.03 long jump was almost half a metre further than any other competitor, building him a sizeable lead. His 14.66 shot put was just 12 cm short of his personal record. And his 2.05 high jump tied with several members of the field for second best. In the final first day event his 46.90 400 metres was over a full second faster than anybody else in the field. His first day total was 4661, with a 220 point lead over Hardee.

Day two started with a virtual tie between Hardee and Eaton, Eaton getting 13.56 in the 110m hurdles. Eaton's discus throw of 42.53 gave up almost 6 metres and 120 points to Hardee, but by that point Eaton still had a 100 point lead. Eaton more than gained that back with a 5.20 pole vault, the third best competition. And in the javelin throw Hardee pulled back 70 points with a good throw, an advantage limited by Eaton setting a new personal best 61.96 in the event. With Eaton holding a 150+ point lead and a superior personal record in the 1500 metres over Hardee, the medals were already determined. Nobody made a serious run at improving their position, Eaton just went through the formality of completing the event in 4:33.59 to take the gold medal. Read Less