NSAF 2014 Prep T&F Nat’l Rankings – Boys Field & Multis
The following is the third of a 6-part series ranking the top athletes and relays for the 2014 outdoor high school track and field season – from the first outdoor meets back in February through the final post-season affairs in August. It also represents an attempt to create some of the deepest prep rankings available with some of the most detailed analysis. The rankings, as such the first ever published by the NSAF, were produced by Steve Underwood, with input from Jim Spier. They are generally based on the honors won, head-to-head competition and fastest times criteria popularized and used by Track and Field News, as well as other compilers, throughout the years. This third entry in the series, Boys Field and Multis, was preceeded by Girls Individual Track and Boys Individual Track, and will be followed by Girls Individual Field, Boys Relays and Girls Relays in the next few weeks.
#1 vaulter Devin King lands after a successful clearance at NBNO. Photo by Walter Pinion.
Pole Vault: Hail to the King
1. Devin King, Jewel Sumner LA, 2014
US#1 18-0.5 – 1st NBNO, 2nd USA Jr (1st prep), 4th WJC, 1st Texas R, 1st 3A state
2. Paulo Benavides, El Paso Franklin TX, 2015
US#5 17-2.75 – 3rd NBNO, 4th USA Jr (2nd prep), 1st GSW, 3rd Texas R, 1st 5A state
3. Luke Winder, Plainfield Central IL, 2014
US#3 17-3.75 – 2nd NBNO, 2nd Kansas R, 1st 3A state, 1st Hunt Inv, NH US Jr
4. Brandon Bray, China Spring TX, 2015
US#2 17-8.5 – 4th NBNO, 1st state, 1st Neal Inv, 7th Texas R, NH US Jr
5. Tommy Dial, Jenks OK, 2015
US#6 17-1.5 – 2nd GSW, 1st Kansas R, 1st 6A state, 1st OK MOC
6. Gavin Gautreaux, Catholic New Iberia LA, 2014
US#8 17-0.75 – 1st USA JO, 2nd Texas R, 1st 2A state
7. Deakin Volz, Bloomington South IN, 2015
US#4 17-3 – 1st state, 1st Bloom. N. Reg, 1st Bloom. N. Sect
8. Carl Johansson, Orange Lutheran CA, 2014
US#10 17-0 – 1st state, 1st SS Finals D3, 1st Arcadia
9. Glen Harold, Brookfield East WI, 2014
16-6.75 – 7th USA Jr (3rd prep), 1st D1 state
10. Barrett Poth, Klein Oak TX, 2014
16-6.75 – 8th USA Jr (4th prep), 2nd 5A state, 5th Texas R
Analysis: No question about King, who was unbeaten by preps and capped off a brilliant career with his first two 18-footers and a 4th at World Juniors – just missing the bronze. Along the way, he captured his 2nd New Balance Nationals title of the year, the Outdoor victory following his HSR at NBN Indoor. King moved to #6 all-time, outdoors. The battle for the #2 spot had a trio of candidates, including national junior class record-setter Bray and NBNO runner-up Winder. But it’s King’s 2013 World Youth teammate Benavides who gets it; he was 4th (2nd prep) at Juniors – while Bray and Winder no-heighted – and was also 3rd at NBNO and won Great Southwest.
Winder, besides getting 2nd in Greensboro, had a fine in-state season – though he lost to Dial at Kansas. Bray was spectacular with the US#2 17-8.5 junior record at 3A state, but struggled in the post-season somewhat with the Juniors NH and 4th at NBNO. Dial, with that win over Winder and a 2nd at GSW, takes #5. He’s followed by Gautreaux, who was 2nd to King at the Texas Relays – beating Benavides – and won USA JOs. Volz soared 17-3, but with no out-of-state competition is #7. California state and Arcadia champ Johansson is next, with the next two preps at Juniors – Harold and Poth – rounding out the top 10.
High Jump: Cunningham’s 7x7 hard to beat
1. Randal Cunningham Jr., Bishop Gorman NV, 2014
US#3 7-2 – 1st Mt. SAC, 1st AAU JO(17-18), 2nd Arcadia, 1st D1 state
2. Jonathan Wells, Grant Community IL, 2014
US#12 7-0 – 1st USA Jr, 1st 3A state, 14th(pre) WJC, 1st Sr All-Star
3. David Njoku, Cedar Grove NJ, 2014
US#4 7-1 –1st NBNO, 1st NJ MOC, 1st NJ Grp 1 state
4. Landon Bartel, Southern Boone NC, 2014
US#4 7-1 – 2nd USA JOs, 19th(pre) WJC, 1st Cl. 3 state
5. Brendon Rivera, Vela TX, 2015
US#1 7-3 – 1st TAAF Games, 1st USA JO(17-18), 4th 5A state, 4th Texas R
6. Blaine Listach, Meyer TX, 2015
US#4 7-1 –1st Texas R, 2nd TAAF Games, 1st 1A-D1 state
7. Grant Holloway, Grassfield VA, 2016
US#4 7-1 –1st 6A state, 1st Southern Trk Classic, 1st Reg 6A South, T-1st Cap’n Classic
8. Steven Dunbar, Tallwood VA, 2014
US#12 7-0 – 1st Arcadia, 2nd 6A state, 4th NBNO, 1st Blunt EC Inv, 2nd Reg 6A South, T-1st Cap’n Classic
9. Eric Moore, Rialto Carter CA, 2014
US#9 7-0.25 – 1st state, 1st SS Masters, 3rd Arcadia, 1st SS Finals D2
10. Bryant O’Georgia, North Canyon AZ, 2014
US#2 7-2.25 – 1st D1 state, 4th Arcadia, 4th Chandler Inv
Analysis: For fans of the event on a national-class basis, 2014 was a very unsatisfying year. More than 20 prep boys cleared seven feet, but no one could manage such a bar at NBNO or USA Juniors. Of the eight who went 7-1 or better, just one competed in Greensboro or Eugene. So evaluating the season’s best comes down to a mix of the best jumpers who were consistent in the meets they did contest, as well as those slightly below who took the top post-season honors. For the past two years, most would argue that Cunningham has been the most talented prep (7-3 in ’13, 7-2 this year), even though he’s passed up NBNO and U.S. Youth or Junior trials meets. In ’14, he leapt 7-0 or better seven times – and, while he did lose to Dunbar at Arcadia, his big Mt. SAC and AAU JO wins wrapped up a good enough package for #1.
Wells and Bartel, the preps who went 1-2 at Juniors (even with sub-par marks) and made the World team, are 2nd and 4th. Wells had two 7-foot meets and seven over 6-10, while Bartel had three and five, respectively. Njoku, the NBNO champ, was nearly as prolific with a great year-end streak and gets #3. Then we go to Rivera, who jumped the US#1 in August (!) at the TAAF Games in Texas and won USA JOs, despite not being at the top level previously. Listach also passed up NBNO and Juniors, but was 2nd behind Rivera at TAAF and had five 7-foot meets. Virginians Holloway and Dunbar had a great in-state rivalry to earn #7 and #8. Dunbar had that great Arcadia win, but was just 4th at NBNO and was beaten twice by Holloway at their region and state meets. California state champ Moore and US#2 O’Georgia are the final two.
Long Jump: Moore maintains and prevails
1. Nate Moore, Castro Valley CA, 2014
US#1 25-8.75 (25-10w) – 4th USA Jr (1st prep), 1st state, 1st Mt SAC, 1st Stanford, 1st GWI
2. Ja’Mari Ward, Cahokia IL, 2016
US#7 24-6.5 (25-6.75w) – 7th USA Jr (2nd prep), 1st GSW, 2nd 2A state, 1st Brown Inv
3. Joey Souza, Kingsburg CA, 2015
=US#4 24-10 (25-7w) – 9th USA Jr (4th prep), 2nd Mt SAC, 2nd Arcadia, 2nd state
4. Adoree’ Jackson, Serra CA, 2014
US#2 25-5.25 – 1st Arcadia, 1st Chandler Inv, DQ SS Final, 2nd Mt. Carmel
5. Trumaine Jefferson, Oak Ridge TX, 2014
=US#4 24-10 – 1st 5A state, 1st 5A Area 13-14, 1st 5A Dist 14, 1st Sugar Bowl
6. Anthoula Kelly, Galena Park TX, 2014
US#3 24-10.75 – 1st 4A state, 2nd Reg 4A-3, 7th Texas R
7. Keandre Bates, El Paso Burges TX, 2014
US#10 24-4.5 – 8th USA Jr (3rd prep), 2nd GSW, 1st USA JO(17-18), 5th NBNO, 6th 4A state, 4th Texas R
9. Isaiah Moore, Hugh Cummings NC, 2014
23-11.5 – 2nd NBNO (1st US), 2nd USA JO(17-18), 1st 2A state
8. Brett Winnegan, Pearland Dawson TX, 2015
US#8 24-6.25 – 2nd 4A state, 1st Eagle Inv, 1st Reg 4A-3, 2nd Lancaster MOC
10. Gregory Vann, Rio Mesa CA, 2015
US#9 24-6 – 1st SS D2 Finals, 1st SS Masters, 4th state
Analysis: Moore and his great rivalry with fellow Californian Jackson were at the forefront indoors as Jackson edged Moore at Simplot, then Moore bounced back to capture NBNI. Jackson then started the outdoors with big wins at Chandler and Arcadia (sans Moore), while Moore ruled Mt. SAC and Stanford. Meanwhile, Souza – yet another Californian – emerged as another one of the nation’s best with fine runner-up performances behind each at Arcadia and Mt. SAC. Jackson dealt with injury issues, then his CIF season ended with a DQ at Southern Section finals. Moore then topped Souza again to win state and those two carried the Golden State flag to USA Juniors.
There, the competition included soph sensation Ward, who had won GSW with a monster wind-aided leap. The collegians would have the upper hand in Eugene, with Moore, Ward and Souza finishing 4-7-9 (1st-2nd-4th preps) – hence, they finish 1-2-3 in the rankings, with Jackson #4. Next comes Jefferson and Kelly, both state champs in Texas (5A, 4A), with Jefferson’s slate slightly better. Another Texan – Ward’s NSAF Project TJ teammate Bates – is #7. He was the #3 prep in Eugene, won USA JOs and was 2nd at GSW, but had lower finishes at NBNO, 4A state and the Texas Relays. The final three spots go to NBNO and USA JO runner-up Isaiah Moore (the only sub-24 footer to make it), Texas 4A runner-up Winnegan, and Vann of California – both of whom were 24-6 performers.
Triple Jump: Moore here, too, despite heartbreak
1. Nate Moore, Castro Valley CA, 2014
US#5 50-4.5 (53-7w) – 1st USA Jr, 1st state, 1st Stanford, 1st GWI, 1st Mt SAC, 2nd NCS Bayshore, 1st Sac MOC
2. KeAndre Bates, El Paso Burgess, 2014
US#1 50-9.5 – 3rd USA Jr (2nd prep), 2nd NBNO, 1st GSW, 1st Texas R, 1st USA JO, 1st 4A state, 1st Chandler Inv
3. John Warren, Prince George VA, 2014
US#3 50-6.75 (50-8.5nwi) – 1st NBNO, 4th USA Jr (3rd prep), 1st 5A state, 1st Milestat, 13th(q) WJC
4. Karsten Wethington, James Logan CA, 2014
US#2 50-7 – 2nd state, 2nd NCS MOC, 1st NCS Bayshore, 3rd Arcadia, 2nd Sac MOC
5. Ja’Mari Ward, Cahokia IL, 2016
US#4 50-6.5 – 5th USA Jrs (4th prep), 1st 2A state, 1st Brown Inv
6. Darrell Jones, Monroe-Woodbury NY, 2014
US#12 49-4.75 (50-4.75w) – 3rd NBNO, 1st state, 2nd Penn R (1st US), 1st Loucks
7. Derek Zimmerman, Freeman NE, 2014
US#9 49-6.25 – 8th USA Jr, 1st Kansas R, 1st Cl. C state, 1st Freeman Inv
8. Kerwin Roach, Galena Park North Shore TX, 2015
US#6 50-2.25 – 1st 5A state, 1st Reg 3-5A, 1st Area 21-22 5A, 3rd Texas R
9. Myles Hartsfield, Sayreville NJ, 2015
50-1.5nwi – 1st NJ MOC, 1st Grp 4 state, 1st Grp 4 Cntrl Sect, 1st GMAC
10. CJ Alumbres, Vista Murrieta CA, 2015
US#7 50-1.25 – 1st Arcadia, 1st SS Masters, 1st SS D1 Finals, 5th state, 10th USA Jr
Analysis: The jump heard ‘round the world, so to speak, in this event this year was Moore’s jaw-dropping 53-7w at USA Juniors, winning the competition on his 5th attempt. It was the best all-conditions prep TJ in 10 years and only five preps have ever leapt further. Unfortunately, Moore did not have a wind-legal qualifier for World Juniors – in Eugene or anywhere else. Still, his tremendous season included a state title and several major invite wins, and just one loss – to California North Coast Section rival Wethington (whom he beat three other times).
The finishing order at Juniors pretty much set rest of the year-end rankings, too, as Bates (3rd/2nd prep), Warren (4th/3rd prep) and Ward (5th/4th prep) get the #2-3-4 spots. Legal US#1 Bates had several major wins and avenged his NBNO loss to Warren – who was otherwise unbeaten – in Eugene. Wethington is ranked a spot above Ward, adding a state runner-up finish and 50-7 legal best to that sole defeat of Moore. Jones is a fine #6, taking 3rd behind Warren and Bates at NBNO and the first U.S. finisher (2nd overall) at Penn. The next four are an eclectic mix: Zimmerman, a surprise out of Nebraska who shone brightest at Juniors; Roach, the #2 Texan who closed out his 5A state campaign with a bang; Hartsfield, whose New Jersey state stretch run included five straight meets of 49-3 or better (all nwi); and Alumbres, the Californian who faded a bit late-season, but whose strong April and May included an Arcadia win.
Shot Put – Bonhurst nips Patterson
1. Benjamin Bonhurst, Smithtown West NY, 2014
US#4 67-3 – 1st NBNO, 1st Penn R, 1st state, 1st Loucks
2. Amir Ali Patterson, Crespi CA, 2014
US#5 66-2 – 2nd USA Jr (1st prep), 1st AAU JO, 1st GWI, 1st USA JO Reg 15
3. Nick Demaline, Liberty Center OH, 2014
US#1 68-10.5 – 2nd NBNO, 2nd Chicagoland, 1st D3 state, 1st D3 Reg 10, 2nd Euclid R
4. Felipe Valencia, Palmview TX, 2014
US#6 65-7.5 – 1st Chicagoland, 4th NBNO, 1st 5A state, 1st Texas R
5. Dotun Ogundeji, San Diego Madison CA, 2014
US#8 65-5.5 – 1st state, 5th USA Jr (3rd prep), 1st Mt SAC, 1st Arcadia, 1st Mt Carmel, 2nd USA JO Reg 15
6. Matt Katnik, St. John Bosco CA, 2015
US#10 65-4 – 2nd state, 4th USA Jr (2nd prep), 2nd Mt SAC, 2nd Arcadia, 2nd Mt Carmel
7. Eric Favors, North Rockland NY, 2015
US#9 65-5.25 – 3rd NBNO, 4th Chicagoland, 2nd state, 2nd Loucks, 9th Penn R
8. Luke Lewis, Hickory PA, 2014
US#7 65-6.25 – 3rd Chicagoland, 1st AA state, 1st Mercy Co., 15th USA Jr
9. Kord Ferguson, Ottawa KS, 2014, 2014
US#2 67-10 – 7th USA Jr, 1st GSW, 1st Jesuit Sheaner, 1st 4A state, 1st Mill Valley Inv, 1st Kansas R
10. John Maurins, Mentor OH, 2014
US#3 67-4.25 – 2nd D1 state, 1st Euclid R, 1st MW MOC, 1st D1 Reg 1
Analysis: Picking between Bonhurst and Patterson for the #1 spot isn’t easy. The New Yorker, winner of NBNI in March, was unbeaten outdoors – winning big meets like Loucks, Penn and finally, NBNO. The Californian – shut out of state competition due to a CIF eligibility ruling – beat his Golden State rivals and everyone but collegian Brahame Days, Jr. in a magnificent runner-up finish at USA Juniors, and also won AAU JOs and Golden West. So it comes down to Bonhurst throwing slightly further overall and beating a few more long throwers.
Demaline threw a US#1 at his region meet, but was beaten at NBNO and Chicagoland to wind up #3. He’s followed by Chicagoland champ Valencia, whose only loss was his 4th in Greensboro. In #5 and #6 are the next pair of Californians (who trailed Patterson at Juniors), state 1-2 finishers Ogundeji and Katnik, with the former winning the majority of several head-to-head matchups. Favors lost to Lewis at Chicagoland, but his NBNO 3rd-place finish elevates him to #7. Finally, Ferguson and Maurins both threw over 67 feet, but neither did as well in the big national meets.
Discus – GSW win buoys Ferguson
1. Kord Ferguson, Ottawa KS, 2014
US#2 210-3 – 1st USA Jr, 9th WJC, 1st GSW, 1st 4A state, 1st Kansas R, 1st Jesuit Sheaner
2. Daniel Haugh, St. Pius X GA, 2014
US#3 204-1 – 1st NBNO, 5th USA Jr (3rd prep), 2nd Chicagoland, 1st Arcadia, 1st Southern Challenge, 1st 3A state
3. Reno Tuufuli, Liberty NV, 2014
US#9 196-10 – 3rd USA Jr (2nd prep), 1st Stanford, 1st Mt SAC, 2nd Arcadia, 1st D1 state
4. Carlos Davis, Blue Springs MO, 2015
US#1 212-5 – 1st Chicagoland, 5th GSW, 15th USA Jr, 1st Cl. 4 state, 2nd Cl. 4 Sect 4
5. Khalil Davis, Blue Springs MO, 2015
US#5 198-5 – 2nd GSW, 3rd Chicagoland, 12th USA Jr, 2nd Cl. 4 state, 1st Cl. 4 Sect 4
6. Max Adams, Hempfield PA, 2014
=US#6 198-3 – 2nd NBNO, 1st AAA state, 1st AAA Dist 7, 1st Baldwin Inv
7. Matthew Zajac, EC Glass VA, 2014
US#4 203-9 – 1st Penn, 4th NBNO, 1st 4A state, 1st Sou. Trk Classic, 1st Seminole Dist
8. Annthony Dudley, El Paso Parkland TX, 2014
US#10 195-7 – 1st Texas R, 1st 4A state, 1st Reg 4A-1, 1st 4A Dist 2
9. Jack Lembcke, Sioux Falls Roosevelt SD, 2014
=US#6 198-3 – 5th Chicagoland, 1st AA state, 1st Howard Wood, 1st Brandon Valley
10 (tie). Brian Peterson, Cedar Ridge TX, 2014
194-3 – 1st USA JO(17-18), 1st USA JO Reg 12, 3rd 5A state, 2nd Reg 2-5A, 1st TAAF Games
10 (tie). Aaron Akens, North Mesquite TX, 2014
195-4 –4th USA JO(17-18), 2nd USA JO Reg 12, 1st 5A state, 1st Reg 2-5A, 1st USA JO SW Assn
Analysis: It preceded the festivities at both NBNO and USA Juniors, but Great Southwest had that national championship feel when it came to the boys’ discus. That’s because it was the summit meeting between fresh rising-star twins Carlos and Khalil Davis – with Carlos the new US#1 at 212-5 – and Ferguson, the Kansan who had ruled most of the year and had four 200-plus-foot meets. Ferguson won decisively, then went on to capture the Junior title and eventually place 9th at Worlds – a wonderful season for him.
#2 actually goes to Haugh – he captured NBNO as part of his HT/DT double, as well as Arcadia, and was solid at Juniors and Chicagoland. Tuufuli wasn’t so high on the performance list (#9), but was great as the #2 prep at Juniors with the heavier platter and shone in California’s three biggest invites. The Davis twins are next at #4-5. Dealing with a wrist injury, Carlos was way off form at GSW (5th) and Juniors (15th), but rebounded to win Chicagoland. Khalil was more consistent, though still way off in Eugene. The next two are NBNO 2nd- and 4th-place finishers Adams (otherwise unbeaten PA state champ) and Zajac (VA champ who also won Penn). In #8 and #9 are Dudley – the unbeaten Texas 4A champ who was consistent over 188 – and Lembcke, the 198-footer from South Dakota whose only blemish came at Chicagoland. Finally, we gave Texans Peterson and Akens a tie at #10 after they both threw in the 194-95 range and split four state series and JO meetings.
Javelin – Thompson avenges defeat
1. Curtis Thompson, Florence Twp NJ, 2014
US#1 224-10 – 1st USA Jr, 3rd NBNO, 1st Chicagoland, 1st NJ MOC, 2nd Penn (1st US), 1st Burl. Co. Open, 17th(q) WJC
2. John Nizich, Central Catholic OR, 2014
US#2 222-9 – 1st NBNO, 2nd USA Jr, 1st 6A state, 1st Jesuit Twi, 1st Centennial Inv
3. Nick Solfanelli, Scranton Prep PA, 2015
US#5 215-8 – 2nd NBNO, 2nd Chicagoland, 8th USA Jr (5th prep), 23rd AAA state, 1st AAA Dist 2
4. Chris Mirabelli, Holy Cross NJ, 2014
US#4 216-6 – 5th NBNO, 2nd NJ MOC, 2nd Burl. Co. Open, 1st NP-A state, 3rd Penn R (2nd US)
5. Denhem Patricelli, Tahoma WA, 2014
US#9 210-3 – 1st 4A state, 1st 4A SW Reg, 1st Oregon R, 1st Kent-Meridian Inv
6. Hunter Keffer, Central Kitsap WA, 2015
US#13 206-3 – 4th USA Jr (3rd prep), 2nd 4A state, 2nd 4A SW Reg, 2nd Kent-Meridian Inv
7. Jhet Janis, Cocalico PA, 2014
US#7 211-2 – 5th USA Jr (4th prep), 1st AAA state, 4th Penn (3rd US)
8. John Putnam, Massapequa NY, 2015
206-0 – 4th NBNO, 4th Chicagoland, 4th USA JO(17-18), 11th USA Jr (6th prep)
9. Todd Ogden, Glacier MT, 2014
US#6 215-0 – 6th NBNO, 1st AA state, 1st AA West Div, 7th Vaasa FIN (1st prep), 5th Chicagoland
10. Austin Kafentzis, Jordan UT, 2015
US#3 217-9 – 1st BYU Inv, 1st 5A state, 1st Alpha Inv, 1st Davis Inv
Analysis: Thompson and Nizich were the names at the top of the jav lists going into the post-season and they had two battles worthy of their status. First, Nizich came through with a big win at NBNO, with rising star Solfanelli also edging Thompson for the runner-up spot. Then Thompson powered to the USA Juniors title, with Nizich just behind. The New Jersey star’s PR was just enough to qualify for Worlds. Neither Thompson or Nizich lost the rest to U.S. preps of the year.
Picking 3rd was tough. Mirabelli had pretty solid consistency over 210 throughout the season, but when Solfanelli backed up his NBNO effort with another big PR at Chicagoland, it pushed him into #3 to Mirabelli’s #4. In #5 and #6 are a pair of Washington throwers. Keffer competed well at Juniors, taking 4th as the #2 prep. Patricelli didn’t throw in the post-season, but beat Keffer three times en route to his state 4A title – hence the nod for #5. The final four spots go to Janis (#4 prep at Juniors and PA state champ), Putnam (4th at NBNO; another rising star), Odgen (inconsistent, but 215 in MT and 206 in Finland) and Kafentzis (US#3 217-9 in Utah).
Hammer: He’s Minor in name, major in impact
1. Colin Minor, South Brunswick NC, 2014
US#3 232-4 – 3rd USA Jr (1st prep), 1st Chicagoland, 2nd NBNO, 1st Coach O
2. Daniel Haugh, St. Pius X GA, 2014
US#1 235-4 – 1st NBNO, 3rd Chicagoland, 10th USA Jr (5th prep), 1st Tuscon Elite, 1st GA Wt Throw Champs
3. Robert Colantonio, Barrington RI, 2016
US#2 233-3 – 4th NBNO, 1st USA JO(15-16), 1st USA Yth, 1st state, 2nd Cl. B state, 1st New England JO(15-16), 1st Sons of Italy I/II, 2nd Hendricken, 1st Schomp Inv
4. Adam Kelly, Barrington RI, 2015
US#5 223-5 – 5th USA Jr (2nd prep), 2nd Chicagoland, 3rd NBNO, 2nd state, 1st Cl. B state, 2nd Sons of Italy I/II, 2nd New England JO (17-18), 1st Hendricken, 2nd Schomp Inv
5. Brock Eager, Tahoma WA, 2014
US#4 231-0 – 12th USA Jr (7th prep), 1st state, 1st USA JO(17-18), 2nd Centralia(6/18), 1st Centralia(3/16, 3/1)
6. Joseph Ellis, Eastlake WA, 2014
US#9 215-10 – 8th USA Jr (3rd prep), 2nd state, 1st Centralia(6/18), 2nd Centralia(3/16, 3/1)
7. Jacob Beene, Gilbert AZ, 2015
US#6 220-0 – 1st USA Yth(17-18), 1st CA state (guest), 2nd Tucson Elite
8. Owen Russell, Moses Brown RI, 2015
US#8 216-10 – 5th NBNO, 2nd USA JO(17-18), 2nd USA Yth, 1st New England (17-18)
Analysis: Minor was a World Youth finalist in 2013, hitting 232-10 with the 5kg implement. His best with the 12-pounder then was 220-10, which ranked 7th. In 2014, saving his best for last, he was the top prep at USA Juniors then won the Chicagoland Throws with a big PR 232-4 – nearly reaching his Youth PR, but with the heavier hammer. That gave him two victories over Throw 1 Deep’s top guy, Haugh, who had beaten Minor and everyone else with his NBNO victory. Haugh had the US#1 at 235-4, but with his 10th and 3rd at Juniors and Chicagoland winds up #2.
Sorting out the next four is a tough deal, with Barrington, RI teammates Colantonio and Kelly, then Washington rivals Eager and Ellis. Kelly was the #2 prep at Juniors, taking 5th, and was also 3rd at NBNO – a spot ahead of his younger teammate. But Colantonio beat Kelly more often than not, including triumphs in the Rhode Island state champs and at least three other meets – including the late summer affair where he hit his 233-3 PR. So he gets the #3 spot. Among the Evergreen State stars, Ellis was 8th to Eager’s 12th at Juniors, but Eager won their battle for the state title, as well as two of three in the Centralia series – plus his PR was 15 feet better. So Eager gets the #5 spot. Beene and Russell get the final two spots (we ranked eight), with their finishes at USA Youth being the key.
Decathlon: Harrison, Moore shine brightest in great year
1. Harrison Williams, Memphis U., 2014
US#1 7,760J/#1 7,525HS – 1st USA Jr, 6th WJC, 1st Arcadia
2. Gabe Moore, Freeport FL, 2014
US#2 7,619J – 2nd USA Jr, 8th WJC
3. Steele Wasik, St. Edward OH, 2014
US#3 7,286 – 4th USA Jr (3rd prep)
4. Timothy Duckworth, Arcadia AZ, 2014
US#4 7,160J/#3 7,122HS – 6th USA Jr (4th prep), 2nd Arcadia
5. John Lint, Columbus Acad. OH, 2014
US#2 7,235HS – 1st USA JO(17-18), 3rd Arcadia
6. Travis Toliver, Cypress Woods TX, 2015
US#5 7,103J – 8th USA Jr (5th prep), 4th Arcadia, 1st TX Greatest Athlete
7. Liam Henshaw, Marist OR, 2014
US#6 6,734J/#4 6,808HS – 11th USA Jr (6th prep), 5th Arcadia
8. Dion Shattuck, Santa Cruz CA, 2014
US#5 6,798HS – 6th Arcadia
Analysis: Ranking this year’s great group of prep decathletes was an easy process. The USA Juniors was the main event almost all of the top elites focused on and the other most significant competition – Arcadia – followed similar form for those who contested it. Williams was strong early – winning Arcadia (prep implements/hurdles) with a very good score – then spectacular later when it counted the most. He just missed Gunnar Nixon’s Junior implements/hurdles HSR while winning USA Juniors, then broke it while taking a fine 6th at World Juniors. Moore, a 2013 World Youth team member in the octathlon, was nearly as good in taking 2nd and 8th behind Williams in the latter two meets, moving to #3 all-time.
Wasik, Duckworth, Tolliver and Henshaw finished as the next four preps at USA Juniors, taking 4th, 6th, 8th and 11th mixed among the collegians. The latter three also finished in the same order – taking 2nd-4th-5th – at Arcadia. Breaking up that group was Lint, who was 3rd at Arcadia, then won USA JOs with the #2 HS deca score of the year (he only contested 400H at Juniors). Rounding out our group – we go 8-deep – was Shattuck, who was just 10 points behind Henshaw at Arcadia. Overall, this was a spectacular year for the event. It’s hard to make historical comparisons, with the Junior-style multis being relatively new, but six athletes scoring 7,000 points or more may be an all-time high – any way you look at it.
