Cord shines at last chance meet

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Simpson's John Cord posted the nation's fourth-best score in the decathlon after scoring 6,494 points at the North Central College Gregory Final Qualifier on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cord won the event at North Central and all but assured himself a place in the 20-person field at the 2013 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which begin Thursday, May 23 in La Crosse, Wis.

Competing in the decathlon for only the second time in his career, Cord improved in nine of ten events from his 6,151-point showing at the Kansas Relays in mid-April.

At the time the score ranked ninth in the nation, but Cord entered this week's event ranked 22nd.

Cord won the javelin throw and the 400-meter dash on the way to besting the 19-person field. He edged Gavin Yseth of St. Thomas (6,448) for the championship.