David Welch Wins Massachusetts Decathlon Title

Class of 2015 Framingham High graduate David Welch won the Massachusetts Decathlon title on Wednesday.

This is the first-ever state decathlon title for Framingham High School, said boys outdoor track coach Chris Collins.

Welch was leading the Decathlon event, after day one. The decathlon measures athletes in 10 track and field events.

“There is no higher title in track and field than that of State Decathlon Champion, for the expertise to compete at that high of a standard in 10 events in 2 days is incomparable to anything else the sport (or any sport) offers,” said Collins.

Welch won the title with a total of 6,043 points, said Collins.

Joe Staudt of North Andover gave the Flyers captain a scare on day 2 closing ground by winning three events, said Collins. Staudt finished with 6,010 points.

“David’s consistency won out however, as he was in the top three in almost every event except the 1500 meter,” said Collins.

“Through a 4-year endeavor to make himself better, David has surpassed many athletes ‘once’ better. He is the greatest of examples that hard work and effort, combined with intelligence and attention to detail, lead to the greatest of achievements,” said Collins.

“Individually, David is one of the best raised, most mature, and socially attentive people I have ever had the privilege of working with. He is a shining example of what Framingham’s best can do, and is selfless in his work with the younger athletes of our program and helping in their development at his own time and expense. He will be sorely missed, but like Ben Groleau, Emma Kalamu, and Eric Mellusi to name a few, he will be the standard setter that will continue to make our program that much better every year as others, who saw his rise, model those lessons into their own norm for success,” said Collins to Framingham Patch Wednesday night.

Framingham High captain Paul Halberstadt finished in sixth place at the state’s decathlon competition at Burlington High School. The Framingham High junior scored 5,336 points.

The Framingham High team finished in second place overall in the decathlon, said Collins.

Unfortunately fate changed for two Flyers as seventh place day one finisher Vinicius Tavares was unable to join the team on the Wednesday, after day 2 was reschedule due to rain. He would have been a top 20 finisher,” explained Collins. “Sophomore rising-star Matt Kimmelstiel got an abductor and groin strain and still fought into two throwing events on Wednesday, while unable to run or jump.”

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Photos courtesy of the Welch family