NB Nationals Day 3 - Nealey & Rusak All-Americans in Decathlon
Belfast senior Drew Nealey set a new personal best with 6668 points in the decathlon to place 3rd overall, Scarborough junior Sam Rusak also notched a personal best with 6585 points good for 4th place. Both athletes earned All-American status with their efforts.
Nealey started the day off with a 16.06 in the hurdles that was worth 726 points, Rusak clocked 16.30 for 699 points.
In the discus throw Rusak had the best throw of all the athletes as he threw 132-6 to earn 672 points, Nealey had a strong 129-5 effort that was worth 654 points.
The third event of the day was the pole vault where Rusak once again had the top clearance of 15-5 giving him 819 points, while Nealey cleared 13-9 1/4 good for 673 points.
The javelin was up next, Nealey threw 152-0 that was worth 535 points, Rusak got it out to 131-10 on his final attempt to get 445 points.
Heading into the final event the 1500m, Rusak held a slight lead over Nealey as they sat third & fourth overall. Nealey finished 2nd overall in the 1500 with a strong 4:34.0 that scored him 719 points. Rusak ran a lifetime best of 4:50.65 the fourth fastest,good for 615 points.
In the end Nealey earned the title of Maine's best athlete for 2016 as he leap frogged Rusak into 3rd place overall.
