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Maybe, at some point after he returns from South America, Jhett Kinghorn might want to give this decathlon thing some serious consideration.
The recent La Cueva High School graduate, in his first-ever decathlon competition, won the Great Southwest Track and Field Classic decathlon title at the University of New Mexico Track and Field Complex on Friday afternoon.
“My first one, I knew there would be some bumps in the road, but I’m happy with how it went,” Kinghorn said.
Over the course of two days and 10 events at UNM, Kinghorn, who was also a defensive mainstay last fall on the Bears football team, accumulated 6,291 points. He had three outright first-place finishes, in the 100-meter dash (10.93 seconds), the 400 (49.98) and the long jump (21 feet, 11 ¾ inches).
“I just went into it, everything is a competition,” Kinghorn said. “If I win the event, then I’ll win overall.”
He tied for first in the pole vault with Legacy Academy’s Jay Lee, as each cleared 14-5¼.
Why did he decide to try the decathlon? Kinghorn’s answer was quite practical, and funny.
“I just really enjoy doing a lot of stuff,” he said, smiling. “I get bored … so the decathlon seemed perfect for me.”
Dylan Dye of Utah finished as runner-up, with 6,160 points.
Organ Mountain’s Asa Laws placed third (6,135), followed by the Colorado State-bound Lee (6,061) who, like Kinghorn, was in his maiden decathlon. Lee’s best individual event, other than the tie in the pole vault, was a second to Kinghorn in the long jump.
In August, Kinghorn is leaving for a two-year mission to Argentina, so his future athletic plans remain up in the air.
But just as he was impressive during the spring track season for La Cueva, he had a fine showing over two days at UNM.
“I’m happy it’s over, but it was fun,” he said. “It was a good time. I’m glad I did it.”
Highland’s Rebecca Neal had an outstanding showing in the girls’ heptathlon. She placed second to Arizona’s Jayci Ballard.
Ballard scored 4,510 points, Neal finished at 4,423 points, and Neal was leading going into the final event, the 800-meter run. But that proved to be a bit of a struggle for her, and she placed sixth while Ballard won that event.
Neal had first-place finishes in the 100-meter high hurdles, and also the shot put. She had a second place in the javelin,
Her point total was almost 500 points better than she scored at the Great Southwest last year, when she finished sixth.
It was a mostly quiet day at UNM, aside from the decathlon and heptathlon, and several running events that were scheduled Friday night. (Albuquerque Academy running star Anna Hastings was doing the 2,000-meter Steeplechase late in the evening.)
There was one other notable highlight: Kaysville, Utah’s Johnny Parker recorded a throw of 232 feet 6 inches in the hammer, breaking the meet record.
The majority of the meet will be held on Saturday. The field events will be ongoing throughout the day, starting at 9 a.m. The 5 p.m. boys shot put could be interesting with the late addition of Texas’ C.J. Williams, who is arguably the top shot putter in the nation with throws over 70 feet.
A few of the top athletes in the metro area are entered this weekend. The elite part of the running program begins just after 5 p.m. Saturday.
James Yodice covers prep sports for the Journal. You can reach him at [email protected] or via X at @JamesDYodice.
Continue reading...
The recent La Cueva High School graduate, in his first-ever decathlon competition, won the Great Southwest Track and Field Classic decathlon title at the University of New Mexico Track and Field Complex on Friday afternoon.
“My first one, I knew there would be some bumps in the road, but I’m happy with how it went,” Kinghorn said.
Over the course of two days and 10 events at UNM, Kinghorn, who was also a defensive mainstay last fall on the Bears football team, accumulated 6,291 points. He had three outright first-place finishes, in the 100-meter dash (10.93 seconds), the 400 (49.98) and the long jump (21 feet, 11 ¾ inches).
“I just went into it, everything is a competition,” Kinghorn said. “If I win the event, then I’ll win overall.”
He tied for first in the pole vault with Legacy Academy’s Jay Lee, as each cleared 14-5¼.
Why did he decide to try the decathlon? Kinghorn’s answer was quite practical, and funny.
“I just really enjoy doing a lot of stuff,” he said, smiling. “I get bored … so the decathlon seemed perfect for me.”
Dylan Dye of Utah finished as runner-up, with 6,160 points.
Organ Mountain’s Asa Laws placed third (6,135), followed by the Colorado State-bound Lee (6,061) who, like Kinghorn, was in his maiden decathlon. Lee’s best individual event, other than the tie in the pole vault, was a second to Kinghorn in the long jump.
In August, Kinghorn is leaving for a two-year mission to Argentina, so his future athletic plans remain up in the air.
But just as he was impressive during the spring track season for La Cueva, he had a fine showing over two days at UNM.
“I’m happy it’s over, but it was fun,” he said. “It was a good time. I’m glad I did it.”
Highland’s Rebecca Neal had an outstanding showing in the girls’ heptathlon. She placed second to Arizona’s Jayci Ballard.
Ballard scored 4,510 points, Neal finished at 4,423 points, and Neal was leading going into the final event, the 800-meter run. But that proved to be a bit of a struggle for her, and she placed sixth while Ballard won that event.
Neal had first-place finishes in the 100-meter high hurdles, and also the shot put. She had a second place in the javelin,
Her point total was almost 500 points better than she scored at the Great Southwest last year, when she finished sixth.
It was a mostly quiet day at UNM, aside from the decathlon and heptathlon, and several running events that were scheduled Friday night. (Albuquerque Academy running star Anna Hastings was doing the 2,000-meter Steeplechase late in the evening.)
There was one other notable highlight: Kaysville, Utah’s Johnny Parker recorded a throw of 232 feet 6 inches in the hammer, breaking the meet record.
The majority of the meet will be held on Saturday. The field events will be ongoing throughout the day, starting at 9 a.m. The 5 p.m. boys shot put could be interesting with the late addition of Texas’ C.J. Williams, who is arguably the top shot putter in the nation with throws over 70 feet.
A few of the top athletes in the metro area are entered this weekend. The elite part of the running program begins just after 5 p.m. Saturday.
James Yodice covers prep sports for the Journal. You can reach him at [email protected] or via X at @JamesDYodice.
Continue reading...
