WORCESTER, Mass. - On Thursday, sophomore captain Jamie Goodwick (Newtown, Conn.) qualified for the New England Division III Championship in the decathlon at the Holy Cross Decathlon, finishing tenth overall among 24 competitors.
Goodwick’s finish makes him one of only seventeen decathletes in New England to qualify for the New England championship later this spring.
The event took place Wednesday and Thursday at Holy Cross, drawing some of the best Division I and Division III decathletes in New England. As the first decathlete to ever compete for Roger Williams, his 5,414-point total will stand as a school record.
The decathlon, a grueling two day, ten-event competition is one of the most rigorous and revered events in sports with the winner of the Olympic decathlon given the distinction of “greatest all-around athlete in the world”. On the first day, athletes compete in the 100-Meter Dash, Long Jump, Shot Put, High Jump, and finally the 400-Meter Dash. On the second day, athletes must complete the 110 High Hurdles, Discus, Pole Vault, Javelin, and then finish with the 1500-Meter Run.
“I couldn’t be happier with how Jamie competed in his first-ever decathlon,” said Assistant Coach Tom Conley said. He ran very fast, with very unexpected times in the 400-Meter and 1500-Meter races and it really boosted his score. He’s just scratching the surface in the decathlon and I believe he’s got a bright future in it.”
Goodwick and the Hawks will compete at the Silfen Invitational Saturday at Connecticut College.