USATF JO's kick off tomorrow, and the heptathlon is among the first events. Fitting, then, that Sarah Graham gets a little time in the spotlight. The graduated senior from Wake Forest-Rolesville finished second in the heptathlon at New Balance Nationals in her very first attempt at multi-event competition, and she competes this week in the same event in Wichita to close her high school career. Of course, in North Carolina she is best known as a high jumper and hurdler, events that have brought her quite a bit of success as well.
Considered by many to be populated by the best all-around athletes in the world, the multis (decathlon, heptathlon, pentathlon) involve earning points for your performance in each event. The points are totaled to determine the overall winner. Multi-events have their roots in the origins of our sport, when young Greek men would compete in many tests of fitness during competitions held in the city of Olympia every four years.Now, the multis seem to get little attention, but they are fascinating to follow. Each athlete has stronger and weaker events, and their overall position can wax or wane accordingly as the two days proceed. The competition is grueling, not just because of the athletic strain but also because of the waiting.
Sarah was worn out by the time I got this interview, but she was kind enough to wait for me anyway, and I appreciate it. She dropped a small bombshell about something that has been largely missing from her training, leading me to believe she still has a ton of improvement ahead of her. She spoke naturally and gave a great interview, and I look forward to tracking her successes both this week and at the next level.