MHS spring track decathlon trio combines to finish fifth in the state

Marblehead High Spring track decathlon athletes, from left, Colin Hart, Graham Firestone and Alex Humphreys pose with their head coach Nolan Raimo, right, during the annual MSTCA (Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association) event earlier this month in Weston. The local trio ended up combining to finish fifth in the state. COURTESY PHOTO

The Marblehead High School spring track program has a history of success participating in decathlons, and this year is no exception.

Weston High School and Regis College played host to the annual Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Multi Championships earlier this month, bringing together the best high school decathlon athletes in the state. The decathlon stretched over two days, and it all began on June 8.

This year’s decathlon consisted of the 100-meter dash, 110-meter hurdles, 400, 1500, long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus and javelin. The triple jump replaced the traditional pole vault in this competition. A total of 160 student-athletes from all over the state took part in it.

The decathlon opened up on Day 1 with the 100, and concluded with the running of the 400 with three field events in between. The 110-meter hurdles kicked things off on Day 2, and it all came to an end with the 1500-meters, equivalent to the mile run. There were three more field events that took place on this day.

“The 1500 is the greatest test for athletes in a decathlon,” said coach Nolan Raimo. “Everything hurts going into this long-distance run, and so it’s simply a pure test of wills at that point.”

Raimo added that the decathlon is often deemed a competition that determines the “best athlete,” because it involves sprints, hurdles, distances, throws and jumps horizontally and vertically. Any weakness is exposed, while athletes have to take advantage of their strengths.

Marblehead High senior captains Alex Humphreys and Graham Firestone, along with classmate Colin Hart represented the program in Weston.

“Alex led the (trio) with a score of 5,225 points to place 11^th overall,” said Raimo. “Colin finished 24^th with 4,931 points, and Graham was 26^th with 4,895. Together, they (compiled) 15,051 points, which placed them fifth in the state, the best team finish in (MHS track) history.”

Raimo said that each of the three Marblehead athletes had “different skill sets,” while adding, “Alex was the most well-rounded with experience in all of the events, which showed in the final results. He consistently placed in the 30s out of 160 competitors across all the events. But he was outstanding in the javelin (sixth) and shot put (ninth). He also came in 20^th in both the high jump and triple jump, and set personal bests in seven out of 10 events.”

Hart entered the competition as a long sprinter and distance runner, and was outstanding in the 1500 (third), 400 (18^th) and shot put (19^th). Firestone stepped it up throughout the season, competing in a variety of events, according to Raimo, but the throws are his strengths. He finished second in the javelin, fourth in the discus and sixth in the shot put at the decathlon. But individually, all three ended up in the top six among the all-time MHS decathlon participants.