Junior Asa Staven fell just short of winning the men's heptathlon at the Big Sky Conference meet in Bozeman. Staven scored a personal best of 5409 points in the event but was edged out by reigning champ Portland State's Nick Trubachik. 

Staven was leading the event going into the final 1000-meter race, but needed to stay within three seconds of Trubachik to win. He was ahead of Trubachik in the 55 dash, and pole vault. They had tied for points in the high jump, an event they both compete in on Saturday's individual field event competition.

"I'm not real disappointed," Staven said. "I did reach my goal of scoring over 5400 points and moving up on the national list, so I'm glad for that."

Staven's score moved him up to 19th on the national list. 

He has two more event competitions in the meet on Saturday.

"Now I can concentrate on the hurdles and high jump," Staven said.