By Gary Van Cleave
Special to Great Bend Tribune
It’s a sport within a sport. Only the fittest and most daring compete in the 10-event spectacle that makes up the decathlon.
Yet former Larned Middle School and now Great Bend High freshman Grant Watkins is starting to master his will as an up-and-coming decathlete.
“It is hard work. It’s a really cool experience and I’ve met a lot of people,” Watkins said. “My goal is to be national champion this year.”
Watkins has competed in two decathlons so far after his start last year as a 15-year-old with the grueling test that features the 100, 400, 1600, 110 hurdles, long jump, high jump, pole vault, discus, javelin and shot put.
“I was introduced to multi-events when I was 13 by my track coach, Shane Weiszbrod, who still coaches me in the summer,” Watkins said. “I competed in the pentathlon at age 13 and got fifth in the nation, making me an All-American Pentathlete. I was 14 when I decided when I wanted to do the decathlon, and I did my first decathlon when I was 14.”
“Grant has a unique combination of strength, speed, agility and endurance that makes him a good fit for the decathlon,” Weiszbrod said. “Usually you find a kid that is a great sprinter but can't throw the shot or disc. Or find a shot and disc kid that can't run. You throw in his leaping ability along with his motor, he really has all of the tools to be a successful Decathlete.”
Watkins’ personal records in each are 5-9 in high jump; 18-6 in long jump; 132 feet in javelin; 110 in discuss; 37 feet in shotput; 10 feet in pole vault; 56 seconds in 400; 12.75 in 100; 5:07 in the mile; and 18.16 in 110 hurdles.
Success has followed Watkins, who owns Larned Middle School records in 7th grade and 8th grade 200 meter hurdles. He also possesses the 7th grade league mark in the 200 hurdles.
Other records of his include 7th grade shot put and vertical jump mark for Larned High set last fall.
Competing in the decathlon does take its toll on his body.
“Training is hard work, two events every day,” Watkins said. “Jumping, running and throwing puts a lot of pressure on my body. I make sure to eat clean, get proper sleep and take breaks when needed. I am currently in speed training with Brian Butler Performance Training. This will help me with preparing for track, the decathlon and football, which I am very excited about competing in as well.”
“Really what I saw first was the raw talent,” Weiszbrod said. “He was different. Then the success started coming when we got him in the right place.”
The right place that was found by trial and error.
“Grant was in 7th grade and it was the second or third track meet of the year,” Weiszbrod said. “There was a kid in his class that was faster than him in the 100 so I thought from a points standpoint, for the team, I would put Grant in the hurdles and see what he could do.”
His coach continued.
“We practiced two hours the night before his first meet,” Weiszbrod noted. “I was nervous about putting him in with such little practice, but he did not disappoint. He shot out of the blocks and ran a perfect race, and in the process, broke the 7th grade school record in the 100 hurdles. Mind you, with two hours of hurdling experience and in his first hurdle race ever. That's really when I knew he was different. This kid has a future in track and field.”
“Well, he always puts effort in during the off-season when he is not actually competing,” Larned freshman Koby Lang said. “Always puts maximum effort in the weight room and during practices. When he went to Larned I saw how much success he had and he always said that he is gonna always be grinding and will never stop. Also him doing all the other sports too really helps him be an all around athlete.”
Despite missing four months of practice time last year due to major hip surgery, Watkins still managed to shine when it counted the most.
“I got first in regionals and 17th in the country after a major hip surgery at the start of the year,” Watkins, who runs unattached, said. “I didn’t have a very good day when I got 17th.”
Watkins said he only excelled in the javelin during nationals.
“Coming off of hip surgery that took me out of practice for four months, that time was crucial to practice 10 events,” Watkins said. I expect to medal this year.”
Watkins didn’t hesitate when asked which event is the toughest and which is his favorite.
“The one mile (1600 meters) is the most physically demanding, and the pole vault is the most technical,” he said.
His favorite?
The 110 meter hurdles because it is the most fun,” Watkins said. “The high jump is one of my favorites because it is my best event.”
“For sure the 100 meter hurdles,” Lang said. “He is decently tall and can jump really high. He set our meet record for the CKL last year. It was really cool seeing him do it.”
Watkins doesn’t have to look far to find his biggest inspiration.
“My inspiration is myself in four years when I am at my best and at my full potential,” he said. “My biggest motivator is to be better than myself from one week ago.”
A legacy in a sport that only the strongest-willed succeed.
“If you have resources and a mental drive to be the best, it beats talent,” Watkins said.
"Personally I see a lot of potential because he is always a very nice person and very coachable,” Lang said. “He never gives up and is very coachable so if he does those things, I really think he could go D1 for track. He always gives full effort and I can see great things coming for him.”
