Chris Butcher of the Pacific University men's track and field team is in fifth place after Tuesday's opening day of the Boxer Combined Event. Butcher posted 3,247 points in the first five events.
 
Donte Robinson of Portland State, which is NCAA Division I, leads the 12-person field with 3,450 points. Butcher had the best long jump in the field with a leap of 6.36m (20-10.50) to pick up 666 points.
 
Plus, he posted a time of 11.51 in the 100-meter dash and 50.73 in the 400-meter dash – the first and last events of the day which were the second best in the field behind Robinson. The performance in the 100-meter dash was worth 750 points and his effort in the 400-meter dash was worth 781 points. Both performances also are qualifying marks for the 2018 NWC Championships.

Butcher is seeking 4,656 total points to secure a spot in the conference championships in the decathlon. He finds himself 1,206 points away with the 110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and 1,500-meter run to take place on Tuesday.