WAVERLY, IA (May 26, 2016) – Vassar College senior men's track star Taylor Vann started his first trip to the NCAA Championships with a bang Thursday, highlighted by a win in the 100 meter dash as he finished day one of the decathlon in third place in action from Wartburg College in Walston-Hoover Stadium.

Vann started the morning with a big win in the 100 meter dash, as he ran an 11.30 to take 795 points and the early lead in the event. The senior from Coventry, CT would follow his win in the 100 meters up with a personal best in the long jump, leaping 6.52 meters to accumulate 702 points. The first throwing event of the day was third on the agenda, and Vann posted a distance of 11.21 meters to pick up 559 points, sitting in fifth place after the third event.

After the shot put, Vann took to the high jump event and posted a 1.87 meter leap for his top jump to pick up 687 points, finishing tied for sixth place while heading into the final event of day one in the seventh spot with 2,743 points. The final event was another banner showing for the Brewer competitor, as Vann finished second overall in the 400 meter dash with a personal best time of 50.08 for a whopping 811 points.

After the first day of action, Vann trails only Ethen Schoen of Wisconsin-Stout (3,717) and JC Grim of Linfield (3,556), as the senior goes into Friday's final five events with 3,554 points. Vann has a ton of competitors within striking distance though, as the No. 3 through No. 10 spots are separated by just 99 points.

"Taylor had a good day one today which is great given he is competing with some of the best in the country in some tough weather conditions," said interim head track coach Justin Harris. He is showing us that he belongs on this stage. The only event he struggled in was shot and it wasn't even that bad while he really exceeded our best predictions in the long jump and 400 meters. That's how the decathlon goes sometimes. We will help him recover tonight and get ready to leave his legacy tomorrow."

Vann is looking to become the first-ever All-American in men's track at Vassar College, while he is only the third competitor at the NCAA Championships for VC in men's track and field. To earn the All-American honor, Vann needs to finish in the top eight in total points.

Action at Walston-Hoover Stadium begins Friday at noon, as Vann will take on the discus, pole vault, 110 high hurdles, javelin and 1500 meter run. Live results and video are available at NCAA.com.