MESA, Ore. -- Brianne Theisen used a big throw in the javelin to win the heptathlon, while Marshall Ackley had a personal record in the 1,500 meters to win the decathlon Thursday at the Big Green in the Desert multi-event competition at Mesa Community College.

Theisen, a sophomore from Humboldt, Sask., threw 142 feet, 5 inches in the javelin, just two feet off her personal best and only an inch short of an NCAA regional-qualifying mark. That throw led her to an easy win in the heptathlon with 5,643 points, a score that automatically qualified Theisen for the NCAA Championships in June. Her score was also a meet record.

Teammate Kalindra McFadden was second in the heptathlon with 5,343 points, which was an NCAA provisional mark. Junior Erin Funkhouser completed a 1-2-3 sweep for the Ducks with a personal-best 4,744 points, that included PR’s in the long jump (17-9) and the javelin (125-3).

In the decathlon, Marshall Ackley won with 6,702 points. The junior from Nyssa, Ore., had an 11-second PR in the 1,500 meters (4:33.41) to close out his victory. Aaron McVein was second with 6,501 points. It was the first career decathlon for the junior from Eugene, Ore.

"I’m very happy with the way the multis competed," said associate director of track and field Dan Steele. "Early season competitions are always a challenge.

"You don’t expect personal bests at this stage of the season," said Steele. "We’re definitely farther along than we were at the same point last year, which as a staff is something we’re pretty excited about."

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