Completed Event: Track and Field versus Cyclone Twilight on May 8, 2026 ,
Final
Track and Field
Cyclone Twilight
Iowa State University Athletics
Hines Fourth, Decathlon All-American
06.07.2007 | Track and Field, Track & Field (M)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Iowa State decathlete Neil Hines went out in style. The high school pole vaulter who never dreamed of being an All-American in anything, let alone the decathlon, set personal bests in four events to place fourth in the multi-event at the NCAA Championships Thursday in Hornet Stadium. Hines' point total of 7,664 bettered his previous best of 7,508 that won him the Big 12 Conference title last month. The Morse Bluff, Neb. native raced to a 4:33.91 clocking in the competition's final event, the 1,500-meters, an all-time event personal best by seven seconds.
"We had a lot of time between the javelin and the 1,500 meters," Hines said. "That gave you time to think and figure out what you had to do. I knew I had to stay within about six seconds of (Northern Iowa's Raven) Cepeda to get fourth. I'm really almost speechless because I never dreamed I'd do anything like this. It is great to do this with (Iowa State head coach Steve Lynn) and (ISU assistant) coach (Ron) McEachran here."
Jake Arnold of Arizona was the NCAA champion with 8,215 points. Wisconsin's Joe Detmer was second with 7,963 points followed by Jangy Addy of Tennessee with 7,808 points, Hines and Cepeda with 7,648 points.
"It was a phenomenal competition and Neil was great," Lynn said. "You knew this was going to be a tough competition when 14 guys got personal bests in the hurdles this morning. Neil was at his best when he needed to be. He got here with hard work. That is how an OK high school pole vaulter turns into over time, an All-American in the decathlon. It was a wonderful day. I could see him pick it up down the stretch in the 1,500-meters. He is the epitome of what a college student-athlete should be."
Hines is a multiple member of the Dean's List at Iowa State, where he will graduate with honors with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering and a MBA in December. Hines is just the second Iowa State track athlete to earn All-America honors in the decathlon. Ron Blums placed second for ISU at the 1993 NCAA Championship.
"I hadn't even planned of competing on the collegiate level," Hines said. "It was a great way to go out. Now I'll finish school and start my job."
DECATHLON
1. Jake Arnold, Arizona, 8,215; 2. Joe Detmer, Wisconsin, 7,963; 3. Jangy Addy, Tennessee, 7,808; 4. Neil Hines, Iowa State, 7,664; 5. Raven Cepeda, Northern Iowa, 7,648.
Players Mentioned
ME
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Daniel Herrera Pre-OSU
Wednesday, January 22
Milan Momcilovic 1_26 Interview
Friday, January 26
Matt Campbell Weekly Media Conference 11-21
Tuesday, November 21
