SABATINO RACES TO WIN AND PROVISIONAL QUALIFIER

Friday, January 27

Clemson, S.C.

12:45 PM

University of Tennessee

Clemson Heptathlon

January 27, 2006 | Men's Track

Jan. 27, 2006

Zach Sabatino, who won cross country All-America honors in the fall, authored an impressive indoor track opener after winning the 5,000 meters with lifetime-best and provisional-qualifying time of 13 minutes, 56.78 seconds Friday at the Indiana Open in Bloomington, Ind. The time misses cracking Tennessee's all-time top-10 list in the 5,000 by about half a second.

"We were sharper this week than last, but that's to be expected," assistant head coach George Watts said. "Zach's performance was a provisional qualifier. He continues to race like an All-America.

Farragut native Andy Baksa and Matt Piccarello also clocked lifetime-best efforts in the 3,000 at Indiana's Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse. Baksa chopped about four seconds off his previous career best, running to third with an 8:16.50 time in his first 3,000 of the year. Piccarello also sliced about four seconds off his previous career best, finishing the 3,000 in ninth place after clocking an 8:34.22. Piccarello cut about six seconds off his 3,000 time from last week at ETSU's Niswonger Invitational.

Chris Helwick and Alex Dobranowski stand fourth and fifth, respectively, after the first four events at the Clemson Heptathlon Championships Friday at the Clemson Indoor Complex in Clemson, S.C.

"We're off to a good start," head coach Bill Webb said. "Helwick won the high jump and, with a good second day, has a chance at a (NCAA) qualifer.

Alex was pretty solid and had a very good shot put.

Co-captain Helwick tallied 3,065 points during the first day of the seven-event test, putting the NCAA indoor championships provisional standard of 5,200 points in his sights for Saturday. Competitors must reach 5,650 points to automatically qualify for the NCAA championships. While former Auburn star Maurice Smith, now competing unattached, secured a tight hold on the lead Friday with 3,342 points, Helwick remains within striking distance of second-place Brent Hobbs of Clemson with 3,109 points, and third-place Ryan Koontz of Clemson with 3,091 points.

Helwick opened with a lifetime-best time of 7.22 in the 60. He followed with a fourth-place, season-best 21-foot, 11-inch leap in the long jump. Helwick took fourth in the shot put with a 44-9 1/2 mark. Helwick closed the first day on a strong note, winning the high jump with a season-best 6-7 clearance.

In his first multievent competition as a Vol, Dobranowski pieced together a solid day, holding on to fifth place with 2,943 points. Dobranowski finished sixth in the 60 with a 7.27 time. He placed 12th in the long jump with a season-best 20-5 3/4 measurement. He took second overall and first among collegians in the shot put, updating his season-best mark to 47-5 1/4. He finished his day in the high jump with a season-best 6-4 3/4 clearance.

On Saturday, Jeff Day contests the mile at the Indiana Open. Tyler DeVault, Yarrick Kincaid and Dusty Miller race the 800. In addition, Helwick and Dobranowski conclude the last three events at the Clemson Heptathlon Championships Saturday.

TENNESSEE RESULTS

Clemson Heptathlon Championships, Clemson, S.C.
Friday, Jan. 27, 2006
Heptathlon (after four events)
1.	Maurice Smith, Unatt.	3,342
4.	Chris Helwick, Tenn.	3,065
5.	Alex Dobranowski, Tenn.	2,943
Heptathlon 60
1.	Maurice Smith, Unatt.	6.97
5.	Chris Helwick, Tenn.	7.22 PR
6.	Alex Dobranowski, Tenn.	7.27
Heptathlon long jump
1.	Maurice Smith, Unatt.	23-4 3/4
4.	Chris Helwick, Tenn.	21-11 SB
12.	Alex Dobranowski, Tenn.	20-5 3/4 SB
Heptathlon shot put
1.	Maurice Smith, Unatt.	55-0 1/4
2.	Alex Dobranowski, Tenn.	47-5 1/4 SB
4.	Chris Helwick, Tenn.	44-9 1/2
Heptathlon high jump
1.	Chris Helwick, Tenn.	6-7 SB
3.	Alex Dobranowski, Tenn.	6-4 3/4 SB
Indiana Open, Bloomington, Ind.
Friday, Jan. 27, 2006
3,000
1.	Wesley Korir, Louisville	8:07.45
3.	Andy Baksa, Tenn.	8:16.50 PR
9.	Matt Piccarello, Tenn.	8:34.22 PR
5,000
1.	Zach Sabatino, Tenn.	13.56.78 *,PR