[quote author="cockysprinter" date="1238659281"]im pretty sure he jumped 6’6″ as a freshman in high school. of course, it always helps when your dad did over 50′ in the triple jump. but anyways, my teammate was a hurdle and has been doing decathlon and hes not doing so hot now. seems strange to me that uw would put athletes so talented in other areas into decathlon when they dont have a lot or any experience in the other events.
The concept is actually similar to runners moving up in distance. They might excel in shorter (or individual events) at lower levels (HS, College) but to continue to excel and not just become one of the pack at higher levels they need to do multiple. If you can take a guy who’s capable of being a 24-25 foot LJer (or equally good hurdler, PVer, or Hurdler) who has some aptitude in the other events and the work ethic to be a champ they have all the makings of a national or even international class decathlete.[/quote]
i understand the concept, but im wondering if some coaches are just putting guys in decathlon because they are a good hurdler instead of seeing where they lie in that department. there are some athletes i knew or went to high school with for sure would have been great multis. but some, like my teammate in the post above, didnt really have experience in any other events. seems strange that he would have been put in the decathlon.