Sophomore Nelson Barre is used to competing in several events over the course of a regular track meet, competing in the hurdles, pole vault, discus, and javelin last weekend for Wabash. But this week he saw action in ten events, finishing third overall in his first decathlon at the 2006 Wabash Invitational, Decathlon and Heptathlon.
Barre finished the two-day competition with a total of 4,934 points. His biggest point totals came in the pole vault (609 points), high jump (569), and 400-meter dash (588). Athletes competing in the decathlon also run the 1,500 meters, 100-meter dash and 110-meter hurdles, in addition to the discus, javelin, long jump, and shot put.
"I'm really proud of Nelson," said head coach Rob Johnson. "Some guys decide to try and compete in the decathlon because they think it will be fun to do all those events. Then around the third event of day one, they're already tired of it. But Nelson hung in there and really showed me something. It's hard to believe it was his first decathlon."
While Barre was touring the Huntsman Track and Field facility Friday and Saturday, several of his teammates were turning in top efforts, as well. Freshman Sam Compton-Craig won the 3000-meter steeplechase with a time of 10:01.28, then came back to take the 5,000-meter title (16:33.77). Ben Bly was the winner of the 1500-meter run (4:09.72). Sophomore Mike Russell competed in his first 400-meter dash since high school, but you would have sworn he ran it every week after winning the race with a time of 49.22.
Geoff Lambert was first in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:59.26, finishing just ahead of teammate Nathan Bates (2:01.09). Tim Rickard was the winner in the 400-meter hurdles (59.22), while Bart Banach edged fellow Little Giant Ja'Michael Hill in the 200-meter dash. Banach won the event with a time of 22.47, while Hill took second at 22.68.
The Little Giants rallied for a win in the final race of the day, coming from behind to take first place in the 4 X 400-meter relay (3:32.53).
Jon Reidy won the hammer throw with a toss of 142 feet, six inches. Lincoln Smith won the javelin throw with a top toss of 141 feet, eight inches.
No team score was kept for Saturday's open invitational.
Wabash will be off next week before preparing for the North Coast Athletic Conference at Ohio Wesleyan University May 4-5.