Pickler finishes sixth in Decastar heptathlon meet in France...

TALENCE, France--Washington State All American Diana Pickler (left/photo by Paul Merca) finished sixth in the two-day Decastars heptathlon competition Saturday and Sunday in the French city.

On Saturday, Pickler, the reigning USA national champion, had a great start, running 13.60 to place second overall in the 100 meter hurdles, worth 1036 points, then followed it up with another 1000 point performance in the high jump, clearing 6-0 (1.83m), worth 1016 points.

In the shot put, historically one of her weaker events, she threw 39-0 1/2 (11.90m), worth 654 points, then finished day 1 with a 25.09 clocking in the 200, worth 879 points, and fifth place after the break.

Rainy conditions greeted the competitors Sunday, and the long jump results were sub-par for all the competitors, including Pickler. She jumped 20-0 1/4 (6.10m) worth 880 points, then threw the javelin 129-5 (39.45m), worth 657 points and almost two meters short of what she threw in Berlin last month.

Pickler came close to her lifetime best set last month of 2:15.80 in the 800, running 2:16.20 for 876 points and a final score of 5998 points.

Natallia Dobrynska of Ukraine, the fourth place finisher in the world championships las month, won the Decastar title with a final score of 6485 points. Countrywoman Lyudmyla Yosypenko was second with 6423, and Tatyana Chernova of Russia was third at 6306 points.

US teammate Sharon Day was fifth with 6013 points, beating Pickler by 15 points.

Complete results of the Decastar heptathlon competition can be accessed here.

You can visit the official site of the Decastar meet here.