Cal State L.A. Athletics

EUGENE, ORE -- Desi Burt, a four-time All-American at Cal State L.A., is off to a promising start in the decathlon at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Burt is third after the first day of the decathlon at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon. Burt accumulated 4,046 points on Thursday and trails only Trey Hardee (4,337 points) and Ashton Eaton (4,333 points).

Burt has a slender advantage over Joe Detmer (4,044 points), Jake Arnold (4,036 points) and Chris Randolph (4,032 points).

Burt's outstanding first day was highlighted by a new personal best in the high jump. Burt cleared 7-1.50 and rolled up 963 points in the event. He also had marks of 11.28 in the 100, 22-11.75 in the long jump, 43-00.25 in the shot put and 50.40 in the 400.

Burt finished third in the nation in the decathlon at the NCAA Division II championships last year and also earned All-America honors in the high jump. He will conclude the decathlon on Friday and then also compete in the open high jump.

Cal State L.A.'s Tuekeha Huntley will compete in the junior heptathlon beginning on Friday, while Damein White, who earned All-America honors in the 100 and 200 for the Golden Eagles in 2008, will compete in the 200 meters this weekend.