Oregon's Small Towns Produce Big Time Decathletes

Is it something in the water?

Maybe it's the brisk, clean air flowing in from the Pacific.

Or perhaps the rugged physical demands of a rural lifestyle?

Whatever the reason, the sparsely populated state of Oregon has produced more than its share of world class decathletes.

And it appears to be no accident that the University of Oregon, long respected for its legendary distance runners, is now becoming known as a hotbed of multi-event excellence, with current NCAA Indoor champions Ashton Eaton and Brianne Theisen being exhibits A and B.

Again, no accident, since new Oregon track and field coach Harry Marra and former coach Dan Steele specialize in the multis.

It seems fitting that a state known for its diversity of outdoor attractions would somehow inspire an athletic event of such diverse disciplines.

Let's take a look at some of Oregon's very own who have risen to the decathlon's greatest stage:

Dan O'Brien - O'Brien, born in Portland, was adopted into a family in Klamath Falls, a farm community in south-central Oregon. The harsh winters and penetrating wind of the Klamath Basin no doubt forged the toughness which would later be required for his decathlon greatness.

He graduated from Henley High School and went on to the University of Idaho. It was O'Brien's world heptathlon record of 6,476 points that was recently broken by Eaton (6499) at the 2010 NCAA Division I Indoor Championships.

O'Brien also held the decathlon world record (8,891) during his prime and was the 1996 Olympic champion. He was the three-time World Outdoor champion and 1993 World Indoor heptathlon champion.

Interestingly, Dave Johnson (of Reebok's famous Dan & Dave commercials), although not a native Oregonian, has Oregon connections. He went to high school at Corvallis' Crescent Valley High and is currently the Athletic Director at Corban College, outside Salem.

Johnson was a four-time US National champion and famously rode a broken foot to a bronze medal in the 1992 Olympics after O'Brien failed to qualify when he no-heighted in the pole vault.

Tom Pappas - Born and raised in the tiny southern Oregon timber community of Azalea, Pappas was tempered in the fires of sibling rivalry. His competitive and athletic family made sure every honor (and there were many) was earned the old-fashioned way.

After a notoriously successful athletic career at Glendale High, Pappas made his global debut at the University of Tennessee. There, he became the 1999 NCAA champion and 1999 World Outdoor champion. He later won four US National Championships and was the 2003 World Indoor heptathlon champion.

One of the most enduring decathlon champions, Pappas' career has spanned three Olympics and he is still competing at a high level. If not for injury, which forced him to withdraw mid-competition in 2004 and 2008, Olympic gold may have adorned his trophy case.

Ashton Eaton - From out of the high desert of central Oregon's Mountain View High School (Bend), Eaton rode into Eugene a raw but gifted athlete. Under the discipleship of Oregon's Dan Steele, the high plains phenom has honed his skills to a point where some are now asking, "...is he peaking too early...?"

With all due respect, the question seems more grounded in fear than in constructive curiosity.

And a little fear on the part of reigning US multi-event icons Brian Clay and Trey Hardee would seem appropriate. Eaton is already a two-time NCAA Indoor and Outdoor champion—and world record holder in the heptathlon.

Plus, a new collegiate decathlon record by Eaton at this week's Texas Relays may have been temporarily postponed by winds which exceeded allowable limits.

Without question, Ashton Eaton is the immediate future of the sport.

Dakotah Keys - Keys is still a senior at Sweet Home High School in the west Cascade foothills of central Oregon. He was the 2008 Junior National decathlon champion, setting a state record with 7,204 points. He recently signed a letter of intent to attend Oregon.

An injury prevented him from defending his title in 2009, but Keys was still able to win three events (110 hurdles - 14.67, pole vault - 15-6, long jump - 23-8.5) with a second in the javelin (196-10) at the State 4-A meet.

New Oregon coach Harry Marra is no doubt salivating over the prospect of yet another great homegrown athlete carrying on the rich pattern of excellence beginning to form in the multis at Oregon.

Rojo Fact: In what might be another case of a geographical concentration of talent, two of the greatest decathletes of all time, Bob Mathias and Rafer Johnson, were raised just miles apart in the San Joaquin Valley of California.

(Ashton Eaton photo courtesy of www.steveritchieontrack.com)