Eric DeMers claims third at decathlon

BOISE — Sandpoint native Eric DeMers, of the Boise State University track and field team, finished third in the decathlon at the Western Athletic Conference Championships Thursday, with 6,436 points.

 DeMers entered the second day of competition in fourth place with 3,316 points but ascended the leader board with strong performances in all five events Thursday. He opened the day by finishing fourth in the 100m hurdles with a time of 16.18. DeMers then took fourth in the discus toss (108-5) and tied for fifth in the pole vault (13-3.50). His best individual event finish came in the javelin throw as he posted a 190-0 to finish second. He then registered a 5:02.60 in the 1,500m to finish third in the decathlon and collect six team points for Boise State.

 The WAC Championships will continue today, with the field events beginning at 12:30 p.m., and the track events at 2:00 p.m.