SPOKANE – Lewis-Clark State College freshman Kale Schmidt finished with one of the best decathlon scores so far this year in the NAIA at a Spokane Falls Community College invite on Wednesday. Schmidt claimed second overall and is now in good position to qualify for the national meet.
“His point total puts him at about No. 4 in the country,” said LCSC head track and field coach Mike Collins. “And I think the real encouraging part of it is that, with the exception of two events, he has a lot of room for improvement.”
The Spokane decathlon featured five events on Tuesday and five on Wednesday. Official results were not available on Wednesday.
Collins said that Schmidt, a native of Stanwood, Wash., who also plays on the Warrior basketball team, put up strong numbers in many of the 10 events including school records in the 100 meters, the high jump, and the 400.
“His first day right now is a lot better than his second day. His hurdles time today wasn’t a bad time, but we know he can go faster.”
Because the top 16 decathlon scores qualify for the national meet which will be held in Marion, Ind., on May 26-28, Collins says that Schmidt is in good position to qualify. He has already qualified for nationals in the 400 hurdles.
Justin Keller, a freshman from Lewiston, Idaho, also competed in the decathlon for LCSC and finished fourth overall.
“I think he’s in the same boat as Kale,” said Collins. “It’s encouraging for him as well because he has a lot of room to improve.
