It’s back! State Heptathlon/Decathlon begins today at North
NASHUA – It’s back and the high school track world is absolutely abuzz.
The 64th New Hampshire State Decathlon and 44th State Heptathlon championships will be held beginning today for the entire weekend at Nashua High School North. Remember, last year it wasn’t held due to the pandemic.
“Oh my God yeah, this is fantastic,” meet director Jason Paling, a former Nashua South track coach, said Thursday. “You could just feel the excitement as the coaches got together today to set up. And the support we’ve gotten from the track community has been fantastic.”
The event is normally held at Nashua South but was moved to North as South’s Fran Tate Track is under repair. In another departure from the norm, the Heptathlon will be today (Friday) only, beginning at 8 a.m., all the events in a single day for the first time: 100 meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 meter dash, long jump, javelin and the 800 meter run.
Who are the favorites? In the Heptathlon, keep an eye on Nashua North junior Olivia Mazerolle, who was second two years ago as a freshman. There are only 43 girls competing in the event this year, which Paling blames on the fact many seniors aren’t taking part, “and the freshmen don’t really know about it.”
Other challengers could be Portsmouth’s April Weeks and Sanborn’s Kaylen LaChapelle.
DECATHLON
The Decathlon will be held as usual in two days, Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 8 a.m. The first day will be the 100 meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400 meter run.
The second day will be the 110 hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and1500 meter run.
Favs? Nashua South’s Eric Carlo, Merrimack’s Sam Epstein, James Dupuis of Pembroke, and Max Lussier of Sanborn Regional. In an interesting note, Plymouth’s Cole Ahern is competing, and his dad, Mike Ahern, won the event n 1982 and 1983.
The Nashua Elks are providing snacks and hydration. Awards will be presented after the conclusion today and Sunday.