INDIANAPOLIS — Bryan Clay's march to a third consecutive USA Track and Field national decathlon title was supposed to be a breeze.

The reigning World champion and 2004 Olympic silver medalist was not only expected to win but challenge the world record of 9,026 points by Czech Republic's Roman Seberle) and American record (8,891 points by Dan O'Brien.)

After all, Clay — a 1998 graduate of Castle High School of Kane'ohe and a 2002 Azusa Pacific College alum — already blown away the best of the rest of the world with his May 27-28 triumph at a meet in Goetzis, Austria, where he posted the very impressive early-season score of 8,677 points in horrendous weather conditions, and became the first U.S. winner in the 32-year history of the event.

But that wasn't the script they followed through the first five events of the decathlon yesterday at Carroll Stadium. Two other Americans were brash enough to breathe down his neck, and hope to continue threatening the Hawai'i star's reign in today's five concluding events.

After day one, Clay had 4,394 points to second-place Tom Pappas' 4,342. Trey Hardee is third with 4,162.

Clay staggered off the track after winning the day's fifth event, the 400 meters, in 48.15 seconds, in the warm, humid conditions, and needed medical attention for a diagnosis of hypoglycemia.

But he bounced back quickly and declared "I'm OK and I'm definitely coming back Saturday."

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound, 26-year-old Clay has been on top of the decathlon world since his 8,732-point gold medal performance at the IAAF World Championships in Helsinki last August.

Both Pappas and Hardee hope to have something to say about who rules the American decathlon realm. All three contenders are considered strong second-day performers.

Pappas, 29, was the American decathlon champion in 2000, 2002 and 2003.

Hardee, 22, a 2006 University of Texas graduate, burst into the world spotlight with his 8,465-point performance — highest total ever by a collegian — at April's Texas Relays.

Clay got off to a good start with a solid 10.49-second victory in his section of the 100-meter dash, the kickoff event to the 10-event test of speed, strength and agility.

But he lost some ground with a 23-foot, 8 1/4-inch long jump and settled for a 51-2 1/4 performance in the shot put.

Clay tied for third in the high jump (6-7 1/2) and won his section in the 400 (48.15).

Now it's on to today's 110 high hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and 1,500 meters.