Westfield’s Peyton Haack proved himself to be not only the best overall athlete at nationals last weekend, but a record-setting one.
Haack, a recent graduate of Westfield High School, won the decathlon at the New Balance High School Outdoor Nationals, which took place June 15-17 at Aggie Stadium in Greensboro, N.C. Haack won the event with a total of 7,090 points, besting the old meet record of 7,009 points that was set last year.
Haack started with a second-place finish in the 100 dash (11.31 seconds), which netted him 793 points. He slipped to fourth after a sixth-place result in the long jump (21 feet, 3-1/4 inches), but finished first in the shot put (45 feet, 10 inches) to pull within one point of first place. Haack had 2,213 points after three events, with Yariel Soto of Centerville, Ohio at 2,214 points.
Soto finished fourth in the high jump (6 feet, 2 inches) to increase his lead over Haack, who took eighth in that event (5 feet, 11-1/2 inches). After that, Soto was first in the 400 dash (49.95 seconds) with Haack second (50.15 seconds). Halfway through, Soto had 3,727 points and Haack 3,665.
Haack surged into the lead in the sixth event, which is one of his specialties: The 110 hurdles. He finished first in that event (14.58 seconds), while Soto placed 11th. From that point forward, Haack stayed in front, outperforming Soto in the next three events: The discus (fifth place; 125 feet, 6 inches), the pole vault (first place; 15 feet, 5 inches) and the javelin throw (second place; 151 feet, 3 inches).
After nine events, Haack had 6,545 points to Soto’s 6,313. The final event was the 1500 meter run, in which Soto finished first with a time of 4:35.07. Haack placed sixth in 5:02.58, but earned enough points to keep the lead.
Haack has committed to the University of Iowa and will participate on the Hawkeyes’ track and field team.
Westfield’s Peyton Haack set a new record while winning the decathlon at the New Balance High School Outdoor Nationals this past weekend in Greensboro, N.C. Haack won the event with a score 7,090 points. (Kent Graham/File photo)
Wow!! My advice—-never mind music, you can do that when your old and lose all that other stuff. Save the best for last. Great Job, you have my admiration and congratulations.
Congratulations for a feat that seems impossible to do.