Siuslaw graduate and current Southern Oregon University sophomore Joe Dotson is in ninth place after the first five events of the NAIA decathlon championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Dotson totaled 3,295 points Thursday and set personal records in the long jump at 20 feet, 10 inches and the 400 meters at 50.95a seconds.

Dotson had 3,218 points at this point last year, and moved from 10th place the fifth in the final standings with a strong second day.

Dotson stands 210 points behind first-day leader Winston Lawson of Vanguard University of Costa Mesa, Calif.

Dotson opened with an 11.53a in the 100 meters for 746 points, followed by the long jump for 664, the shot put at 37-10 for 578, the high jump of 5-6.5 for 536 and the 400 for 771.

Friday's five events include the 110-meter hurdles, the discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500-meter run.