Noah Palicia Wins Decathlon at California Invitational Multi-Meet

April 14, 2011

AZUSA, Calif. - Senior Noah Palicia posted the second-highest decathlon total in Academy history (7,385 points) to win the 10-event competition at the California Combined Meet in Azusa, Calif., on Thursday, April 14. Competing in a California Invitational field of 30, Palicia improved his overall score by nearly 750 points to vault from eighth to second in the program standings, while posting a Senior Class Record.

Palicia was one of three Falcons to impact the Academy's top-five lists of the decathlon and heptathlon. Sophomore Michael Tibbs totaled 6,817 points in the decathlon - a personal improvement of nearly 350 points - to debut in fifth on the program's all-time list. Classmate Lesly Torres improved her heptathlon total by over 200 points to move from eighth to fifth on the all-time list with a Sophomore Class Record.

Palicia, who entered the day in fifth, used three second-place scores, as well as a third-place tally, to win the California Invitational Decathlon. The senior finished second with career-best marks in the 110-meter hurdles (14.96), pole vault (16'4¾") and 1500-meter run (4:26.03). One day after setting a decathlon event record in the 400-meter dash, Palicia nearly recorded another event record, finishing just 0.02 seconds shy of the 110-meter hurdles mark. He also recorded season-best marks to finish third in the javelin throw (177'1") and 10th in the discus throw (119'0").

Tibbs picked up a pair of fourth-place event finishes, en route to his career-high 6,817-point total and fifth-place overall score. The sophomore earned his highest placements in the 110-meter hurdles (15.60) and javelin throw (158'11"). Tibbs also finished fifth in the pole vault (14'5¼"), sixth in the 1500-meter run (career-best 4:50.42) and 10th in the discus throw (117'7")

On the women's side, Torres set a Sophomore Class Record with 4,432 points - a career-best total that is the fifth-best heptathlon score in Academy history. Contributing to her score on the second day was a career-best time of 2:35.67 in the 800-meter run, a season-best distance of 16'10¾" in the long jump and a javelin throw of 93'9". Overall, Torres finished 22nd in the 38-member event.

The Falcons continue action in California tomorrow (April 15) at the Mt. SAC Relays.

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