Nashua South's Eric Carlo clears the high jump bar Saturday during the first day of the 64th NH Decathlon at Nashua HIgh School North. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – With one day done in the 64th New Hampshire Decathlon, Nashua High School South senior Eric Carlo may have the rest of the field where he wants it.

His goal was to be in the top five after Day One at the Nashua High School North track, and he is currently fourth with 2,798 points, trailing leader Derek Lacy of Hanover, who has 2890 points. Second is Max Lussier of Sanborn (2853) and just ahead of Carlo in third Pembroke’s James Dupuis (2818).

Bishop Guertin 2020 grad Jacob Pacheco is the actual points leader, but he is competing on an exhibition level, allowed in due to the fact the pandemic cancelled the event last year. He has 2,988 points, but his finish won’t count in the official standings although he is listed now.

“I feel like it’s going great,” Carlo said. “I’m feeling pretty comfortable.”

Other locals in the top 25 include Souhegan’s Dawson Hamele in seventh (2,684) and Sam Epstein of Merrimack in 14th (2,392).

Carlo’s day went like this: He was 10th in the 100 meters in 12.14 seconds, ninth in the long jump (5.40 meters), 10th in the shot put (10.69 meters), seventh in the high jump (1.73 meters), and third in the 400 meters in 54.55 seconds.

Souhegan’s Hamele also had a good day, in fact he finished ahead of Carlo in the last two events. He was second in the 400 in 54.33 seconds – the day’s best local finish – and was third in the high jump at 1.82. Also, locally, South’s Sam Murray finished fifth in the shot put.

Now Carlo looks to today’s events, which beginning at 8 a.m. are the 110 hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and the final event, the1500 meter run. It’s expected to be a sunny, hot day as well.

“I want to get big points in javelin,” Carlo said. “That’s one of my big hitters. I’m really not a big distance runner. I just want to finish out the day strong (today) with a good 1500 and hopefully bring home a trophy.”

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