MSU senior Paul Terek ended his career at MSU by earning a second-place finish in the decathlon at the NCAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday in Baton Rogue, La.

His second place showing is the highest in MSU history for a male competing in the decathlon. He completed the event with 8,041 points, 53 fewer than Louisiana State’s Claston Bernard.

Terek began the day in sixth place, but said he knew he would finish with a strong performance.

“My big event is the vault, I get a lot of points in that event,” he said. “I never concern myself with the first day, I’m more of a second day performer.”

Terek finished second in the 1,500-meter run and the pole vault. He also earned fourth-place finishes in the discus and javelin.

His second-place finish earned him All-America recognition for the second straight year.

Terek said he hopes the legacy he began at MSU will help the team recruit top track and field athletes to elevate the program to national dominance.

“My next main goal is to make the 2004 Olympic team.” Terek said. “Which means I have to be one of the top three in the nation.”

The MSU women also had strong individual performances at the NCAA Championships. Sophomore Jamie Krzyminsiki earned All-America honors by finishing seventh in the 10K run with a time of 34:26.63.

Junior Lynlee Phillips finished 13th in the javelin with a toss of 156 feet. Senior Ann Somerville finished 11th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Junior Sherita Williams placed 12th in the triple jump with a leap of 41-7.

Antonio Planas