By Chandler Harris, Assistant Sports Editor
Camille Vandendriessche and Linda Brivule became a part of school history over the weekend at the Texas Relays in Austin. Vandendriessche became the first ACU decathlete to win the Texas Relays decathlon, and Brivule set school and NCAA Division II records with her performance in the javelin throw.
“Camille and Linda were the highlights of the meet,” Don Hood, ACU head track and field coach, said. “As we talked about on the way back, for both of them to do what has never been done at ACU before is pretty cool.”
Vandendriessche won the decathlon with 7,531 points, just 28 behind his personal best of 7,559 from last year’s Texas Relays where he finished fifth overall. Vandendriessche trailed after day one but scored 3,719 on day two including 895 points in the pole vault by clearing 16 feet, 2.75 inches. He then extended his lead to 726 points after a throw of 194-3 in the javelin. The event was delayed five hours because of high winds.
“The weather was bad on Thursday and it is critical to keep your balance when the wind is blowing 40 mph; he handled it pretty well,” Hood said.
This performance automatically qualified Vandendriessche for the NCAA Division II outdoor championships in May. He also provisionally qualified in the pole vault and javelin with his performance.
“Basically he can just train from here on out and get ready to compete,” Hood said.
Brivule won the javelin throw with an all-time best throw in NCAA Division II history of 184-6.
“It was the best conditions she has thrown under, and it was her first opportunity with good competition, and conditions combined to make something happen,” Hood said. “She is also in much better shape than she was at this time last year. She has worked really hard to get to where she is with her strength levels and fitness levels, and her mindset is strong.”
Also victorious at the Texas Relays were Nick Jones in the men’s shot put university-college section B and Stephen Toler in the university-college pole vault section B.
Hood also was pleased with the performances of Desmond Jackson, who finished second in the 100-meter, and Andrew McDowell who finished fourth in the 110-meter hurdles.
Three multi-athletes competed in the David Noble Angelo State Multis on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hood said the team would split Thursday, as some will travel to San Angelo and others to Lubbock for the Texas Tech Invitational.
