SBTC's FitzSimons, Jr. sets three personal bests to surprise national field for second year in a row; wins the 1500m by nine seconds to cap off Decathlon
Entering the 2015 USA National Championships ranked 8th in the Decathlon, Thomas FitzSimons, Jr. proved once again that he competes his best on the biggest stage. After a surprise podium finish in 2014, FitzSimons, Jr. used the 2015 event, held in Eugene, OR at the University of Oregon's historic Hayward Field, to set three personal bests and come close to four others in the two-day competition. He finished in 4th place with 7,685pts.
With the 100m dash kicking off the Decathlon on Thursday, June 25, FitzSimons, Jr. wasted no time in setting his first best with an 11.12 sprint down the home stretch. Competing well in the following four events, including jumping just four inches (7.07m / 23'2.5") shy of his best in the Long Jump, FitzSimons, Jr. finished day one with 3,877pts and in 8th place.
Day two started with FitzSimons, Jr. dipping under 15 seconds in the 110m Hurdles for the first time in his career notching a 14.95 wind legal mark. Two events later, he set another personal best in the Pole Vault with a 4.65m (15'3") leap moving into 5th position.
FitzSimons, Jr. needed to finish five seconds ahead of Mike Morgan in the final event, the 1500m, to move into 4th. Jumping to the lead right from the gun he led wire to wire winning the metric Mile in 4:17.75, over nine seconds ahead of second place and twenty-five seconds ahead of Morgan to claim 4th place in the Decathlon.
NIKE's Trey Hardee of Texas took home the 2015 Decathlon title with 8,725pts.