14 Facts About Ashton Eaton

In college, Ashton Eaton competed for the University of Oregon, where he was a five-time NCAA champion, and won The Bowerman award in 2010.

In 2011, Ashton Eaton won the first international medal of his career, a silver, in the decathlon at the 2011 World Championships.

Metcalf suggested that Ashton Eaton attend a university with a strong decathlon program, and Ashton Eaton chose the University of Oregon.

Under Steele, Ashton Eaton rapidly improved in the 1500 m, high jump, hurdles, and pole vault.

In 2008, Ashton Eaton won the decathlon at the NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship.

In 2009, Ashton Eaton defended his decathlon title at the NCAA Championships to win with 8,241 points.

At the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships, Ashton Eaton broke the heptathlon world record with a score of 6,499, eclipsing Dan O'Brien's 17-year-old mark by 23 points.

In 2010, Ashton Eaton won The Bowerman, given annually to the best male and female US collegiate track and field athletes.

At the 2008 United States Olympic Trials, Ashton Eaton placed fifth overall with 8,122 points.

At the 2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Ashton Eaton placed second in the decathlon behind Trey Hardee with 8,075 points.

In March 2012, at the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships held in Istanbul, Ashton Eaton won the gold medal in the heptathlon competition with a new world record 6645, winning five events out of seven and finished third for the rest.

At the 2012 United States Olympic Trials, the qualifying meet for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Ashton Eaton started day one of the decathlon competition with two world decathlon bests, the equivalent of a world record for athletes competing in a full decathlon.

Day two started with a virtual tie between Hardee and Ashton Eaton, Ashton Eaton getting 13.56 in the 110m hurdles.

Nobody made a serious run at improving his position, and Ashton Eaton just went through the formality of completing the event in 4:33.59 to take the gold medal.