Track and field:

Cibola standout in good position to win decathlon

By James Staley of the ABQ Tribune

Photos by Craig Fritz

Friday, June 1, 2007

The decathlon isn't big on happy endings.

Two soul-sapping, lung-scorching days close with the event's most grueling task: the 1,500.

To many competitors, this finale can be dramatic and painful - anything but grand.

Unless you're Daniel Gooris.

"For most decathletes, the 1,500 is dreaded event," said Gooris, a Cibola standout competing in the Great Southwest Track and Field Classic. "You talk to them before and they don't like to run it."

Gooris does. So does his friend, Academy athlete Curtis Beach.

"It's our strongest event," Gooris said. "I can usually catch about four or five guys (in the points standings) and end up on the podium."

If Gooris, who will be a senior in the fall, surpasses that many competitors today - the second half of the decathlon was scheduled for a 10 a.m. start - he would find himself atop the podium, rather than just on it.

An unusually strong Day 1 performance Thursday at the University of New Mexico Track/Soccer complex placed Gooris within striking distance. He's in fifth place.

Gooris said he has entered about 12 decathlons since 2003. Each time, he accumulated most of his points on the second day, when success relies more upon endurance and technical execution.

At last year's Great Southwest Track and Field Classic, Gooris was in 17th place after the Day 1 disciplines, which require more explosive power.

But he rebounded in Day 2, hurdling, throwing and pole vaulting his way to a third-place finish.

"The first day I (usually) just try to hold on to everybody," Gooris said.

Now he has to fend off most of the pack.

Credit Gooris' role reversal to a slew of personal bests. Cibola coach Kenny Henry said Gooris recorded his top marks in four of Thursday's five events - the 100, long jump, shot put and 400.

His specialties await.

"He's in good shape," Henry said.

Gooris is the defending Class 5A state champion in the pole vault, today's third event. He sailed six inches higher than any other New Mexico vaulter. Gooris is also scheduled to compete in Saturday's open pole vault, in which he is considered a strong contender.

His pole vaulting has gained him the most prominence in high school, but Gooris' decathlon skills likely will allow him to secure a college scholarship.

Gooris has limited experience in the taxing event (there is no decathlon in New Mexico high school competition), but he learned a key lesson early.

"The first time, you think you have to pace yourself," Gooris said. "It's so long. But you don't. You have to go all out. If nothing else, adrenaline will get you through the 1,500."

It also helps not to despise the final event.

Said Henry: "He runs cross-country. He's not afraid of it (the 1,500). He embraces it."

A swift showing in the 1,500 could put Gooris in position to embrace a medal - and a happy ending.

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