MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Carleton College senior Ian Mortensen and sophomore Gabe Nichols opened the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Mortensen sits 11th after the first day of the decathlon, while Nichols finished 17th in the 1500-meter run.
 
Mortensen began the two-day decathlon competition by clocking a time of 11.54 in the 100-meter dash, earning the Seattle native 744 points. That was the fastest non-wind aided time of his career.  He then measured a career-best 6.47 meters on his final attempt in the long jump, collecting another 691 points.
 
Mortensen next measured a career-high 12.98 meters in the shot put, the second-farthest heave across the 22-competitor field. He added 666 points to climb from 17th place in the standings to 11th. He posted his fourth consecutive personal best after clearing 1.82 meters in the high jump, netting him an additional 644 points.
 
The first half of the decathlon concluded with the 400-meter run, which Mortensen completed in 52.58, the third-fastest time in his career and worth 700 points.
 
Jackson Anderson of Williams College, the 2023 NCAA runner up, has amassed 3,835 points and holds a 55-point lead over All-American Charlie Nolan of UW-Oshkosh. Last year's national champion, Michel Stegeman of UW-Eau Claire sits fifth at 3,636 points. Mortensen, who is taking part in his first NCAA Championships, has 3,445 points.
 
Nichols took to the track at the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the first time and was forced to jostle for position throughout the 1500-meter race. He crossed the finish line at 3:55.96, which was ninth in his heat and 17th overall in the 22-runner field. He missed All-American recognition by 0.21 seconds.  
 
Up Next for the Knights
Day 2 of the decathlon begins at 12:00 p.m. EDT on Friday as Mortensen will compete in the 110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin, and 1500-meter run.