If you looked for the physical embodiment of a track season, you would find it in the multi event participants. The versatility and consistency needed of the women’s heptathletes and the men’s decathletes will be front and center at the Jim Click Multis in Tucson on Thursday and Friday.
Senior Samantha Henderson and sophomore Keia Pinnick make up the women’s side that will be competing for ASU in the seven events of the heptathlon, and looking for an early ticket to the postseason.
“The women had pretty good multis during the indoor,” ASU coach Greg Kraft said. “We want to see them get back inside the bubble. They both have the ability and the opportunity to get qualified this weekend.”
With the high talent level of both Henderson and Pinnick, the in-house individual competition could almost be more compelling and meaningful than from a team standpoint.
“You always want to improve your overall score, but I want to improve in the individual events,” Henderson said. “And I want to beat Keia. So I hope we get first and second or get personal records.”
For the men’s side of redshirt sophomores Jeremy Marcinko and Austin Prince and junior Jamie Sandys, the hope is that the outside air and the 10-event decathlon can refresh them rebound from a less than stellar indoor showing.
“I think all the guys will admit the heptathlon during indoors was disappointing,” Kraft said, “but with the decathlon, they’re a little more comfortable. A little more ‘been there, done that.’”
With the competitive field and the location of the event being where the Pac-10 championships will be held in May, these two days could be huge to state a case for a Pac-10 appearance.
“It gives us an opportunity to see how we compare with the other decathletes in the conference to try and piece together our Pac-10 roster,” Kraft said. “I can see taking two or three decathletes depending on the results and how the conference puts out.”
Marcinko is looking to make that statement and help the rebound out of the indoor season.
“I’m actually looking for a personal record this weekend,” Marcinko said. “I didn’t have a great multis last year, and looking to have a good start to the outdoor season. I set a personal record in the pole vault at practice the other day, so I’m definitely looking forward to this weekend.”
Beyond their individual strong points, the keys for the Sun Devils are going to be consistency and resilience.
“I want to be consistent in each event,” Henderson said. “If I do have a bad day in one event, I want to be able to brush it off and move on to the next event.”
That ability to leave a bad performance behind is also important for a consistent day.
“Don’t get down on yourself if you have a low score in one event,” Marcinko said. “That negativity can reach over to other events, and instead of having a bad event, you’ll have a bad day.”
The carryover from day-to-day will be important as well.
“You can have a one day wonder, but it’s the second day that shows a true decathlete,” Kraft said.
Reach the reporter at zcavanagh@asu.edu
