Metcalf revels in decathlon record

Hayward Field has seen its share of memorable moments in track and field, but it will be hard to top Ashton Eaton's world-record performance in the decathlon at the U.S. Olympic Trials on June 22-23.

The decathlon consists of 10 events - five each day - with a scoring system based on time, height and distance for the different events.

For Sisters Athletic Club owner and Eaton's former high-school coach Tate Metcalf, Eaton's athletic show was "exciting beyond description."

Metcalf was surely speaking for the rest of the capacity crowd of nearly 22,000 fans who witnessed the dramatic conclusion to the two-day, 10-event competition in what is considered by many as the way of defining the world's greatest athlete.

Metcalf coached Eaton when Eaton was a prep athlete at Mountain View High School in Bend, and is credited with planting the seed for Ashton to become a decathlete. The University of Oregon took a chance on Eaton, and the rest is now becoming history. Eaton won multiple NCAA titles indoors and outdoors as a collegiate athlete and finished fifth in the Olympic Trials in 2008 while still in college. 

Metcalf says that he and his wife have a unique relationship with Eaton.

"As a coach you sometimes establish a very strong emotional bond with an athlete. Over the years my wife, Aimee, and I have gotten to share in Ashton's amazing development as an athlete and as a young man," he said. "It's not like I am a father figure, which is the way other journalists have tried to paint the picture. It's more that we have been with him all along the way since his high-school years, and we keep in constant contact with him."

Eaton totally dominated the field Friday and Saturday, a field that included reigning world champion and Olympian Trey Hardee and 2008 Olympic champion Bryan Clay. Eaton won seven of the 10 events, establishing two decathlon world records in the process in addition to his overall world record. His long jump of 27 feet not only broke the record for a decathlete, but it was further than any of the men in the regular long jump competition achieved in qualifying and met the Olympic "A" standard. He also broke the decathlon world record for the 100-meters, scorching the track in 10.21 seconds.

Eaton's total of 9,039 points broke the world record, set in 2001 by Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic, of 9,026 points, and destroyed Dan O'Brien's American record of 8,891.

Few experts believed that one so young - Eaton is just 24 years old - could explode upon the world stage quite like he did, but others could definitely see it coming, including Metcalf.

"I was very confident that he could get the American record, but his coach, Harry Marra, actually told me earlier this spring that he thought Ashton could approach the world record, so it was definitely on my mind," Metcalf said. "After his amazing first day, I started doing some serious calculating and realized how probable the world record was becoming."

Even so, nothing was certain as the competitors lined up for the final event, the 1,500-meters. The announcer made it very clear to the crowd how much they would be needed to help Eaton in his quest to go under 4:16 to break the world record. The stage was set.

"Ashton looked good and was on pace through the first 1,000 meters, but I saw his form change for a moment with 500 meters to go and began to worry," said Metcalf. "But then with 400 to go and the crowd really get into it, Ashton appeared to regroup and pick up speed."

Indeed he did, running the final lap in 62 seconds to finish in 4:14.6 to become the finest decathlete the world has ever seen.

"When he crossed the line the noise level was unbelievable, the energy in the stadium was absolutely electric," said Metcalf. "Everyone experienced a magical moment of awe; that's the only way to describe it."

And the bond between athlete and coach was undeniable as Eaton embraced Tate in a long, emotional hug along his victory lap route.

"I think he was still trying to comprehend what he had just done, and as he held on to me I could feel all of his emotion and relief of being finished," said Tate.

Aimee Metcalf also soaked in the experience with a sense of joy and amazement.

"Quite honestly, we always knew he could get to this level as long as he stayed healthy, but for him to reach this achievement at such a young age is hard to believe, even for us," she said. "For him to break the world record on his home track, in front of a home crowd is so special. We were so lucky to be able to be there, surrounded by friends and family, and share this moment with them and with Ashton."

The Metcalfs have more track and field to absorb over the next few weeks. They left June 26 for Calgary to watch Eaton's fiancée Brianne Theisen compete in the Canadian Olympic Trials where she is favored to win the heptathlon. She won her third outdoor NCAA title in June for the University of Oregon, where she met Eaton. Both are coached by Harry Marra.

"We'll get to hang out with Ashton and cheer on Brianne, which will be a lot of fun," said Tate.

In July, the Metcalfs will be flying to London for the Olympics thanks to the generosity of some of the members of Sisters Athletic Club who are helping the Metcalfs. One member provided air miles and others have offered assistance as well.

The Olympic decathlon is scheduled for August 8-9, and the Metcalfs have their fingers crossed to score some tickets for those dates.

And to think, this all started with a coach who believed he saw a unique potential in a high-school senior and introduced him to Dan Steele, then a coach at Oregon, who also believed.

"Sometimes I think how lucky we were to get Ashton to Oregon just at the right time for him to have the opportunities that he has had," said Tate. "It really is an amazing story."

Here is a rundown of Eaton's marks in the 10 events:

Day one: 100-meters, 10.21; long jump, 27 feet; shot put, 46 feet 7.25 inches; high jump, 6 feet 8.75 inches; 400-meters, 46.7 seconds.

Day two: 110 hurdles, 13.7 seconds; Discus, 140 feet 5 inches; Javelin, 193 feet 2 inches; pole vault, 17 feet 4.25; 1,500-meters, 4:14.6.