Wesco one-two punch

Published 11:41 pm Friday, June 4, 2010

LAKE STEVENS — The decathlon does not lend itself to photo finishes.

The point system used means marks are more important than placing. Top contenders often find themselves competing in separate flights in events. And with 10 events contested over the course of two days, the grueling nature makes the decathlon as a whole resemble a marathon more than a sprint.

However, at the midway point of the boys high school state championships, it’s neck-and-neck at the top.

Edmonds-Woodway’s Alec Fellows and Stanwood’s Kale Schmidt are separated by a mere 44 points after the first day of the boys decathlon, held Friday at Lake Stevens High School as part of the 39th annual Dennis McDonald Multi Events State Championships.

“It’s how I thought it would be,” Schmidt said. “Alec and I are really close and it’s going to be a battle (today). I’m pretty excited.”

Fellows and Schmidt are the top two returning placers from last year’s boys decathlon — Schmidt is the defending champions while Fellows finished sixth. Those two were expected to duke it out for the title this year, and on the first day they didn’t disappoint. Fellows, thanks in large part to a dominating time in the 100 meters, is in first with 3,483 points. Schmidt is right behind at 3,439. Both are ahead of Schmidt’s winning pace from last year, and no other competitor is within 300 points.

Fellows, who set new personal bests in the shot put (31 feet, 41/2 inches) and the 400 (50.95 seconds), was ecstatic with his first-day performance. He also recorded the day’s top marks in both the 100 (11.34) and the high jump (6-31/2).

“I got two PRs today, so I’m just happy with my performances,” said Fellows, a junior. “They’re getting better than last year.

“My high jump was good because I’ve been struggling,” Fellows added. “I’ve been working on it a lot and it paid off.”

Schmidt also had the day’s top mark in two events, earning the most points in both the long jump (22-21/4) and the 400 (50.95). Schmidt’s 400 time was the only mark that broke the 800-point barrier, garnering him 810 in the day’s final event.

“I’m pretty excited about my long jump and 400 time,” the senior said. “I was hoping to break 50 (seconds) for the 400, but I still got first.”

Fellows and Schmidt thus head into today’s second day with everything still on the line. The nature of the decathlon now changes, as the day one events highlight speed and explosion while the day two events are more about endurance and technique.

“(My second day) is usually not as good as my first day, but I’m hoping to change that this year,” Fellows said. “I’ve been working hard on the javelin, discus and pole vault.”

Schmidt singled out the pole vault as a key event today.

“We’ll see how (today) goes,” Schmidt said. “It’s a whole different day, a different type of abuse on your body.

“I’m more comfortable now that I got some pole vault practice in,” Schmidt added. “I wasn’t feeling very confident in my second day just because of my pole vault. But after doing some practice this last week with some high school friends and the pole vault coach at the high school, I’m feeling a little more confident.”

Three other area athletes were in the top 10 after the first day. Curtis Clauson from King’s is fourth with 3,041 points, while the Snohomish duo of Jonathan McGee (2,885) and Christopher Rusnak (2,875) were in seventh and eighth, respectively. A total of 45 athletes competed the first day.

In the girls heptathlon, Lake Stevens freshman Brooke Pahukoa used a strong effort in the high jump to place third after the first four events. Pahukoa’s leap of 5-41/4 was the best of the day and 21/2 inches better than the nearest competitor. Pahukoa finished with 2,623 points, which was 182 behind leader Alexi Morton of Auburn Mountainview.

Other area athletes in the top 10 included Shorecrest’s Alexis Ramos (sixth with 2,275), South Whidbey’s Cayla Calderwood (tied for seventh with 2,269), Arlington’s Kylene Swegle (tied for seventh with 2,269) and Pahukoa’s twin sister Brittney (10th with 2,197). Thirty-five competitors are taking part in the heptathlon.

Nine brave souls decided to tackle the girls decathlon instead of the heptathlon. Cedarcrest’s Ashton Griffen was in fourth after the first five events, totaling 2,140 points. Nathan Hale’s Naivasha Sophusson Smith led with 2,508 points.