Flyer Welch Leads State's Decathlon After Day 1

Framingham High recent graduate David Welch is the leader for the state’s decathlon title, after the first day of competition.

The second and final day of the competition is scheduled for today, June 9 at Burlington High, weather permitting.

“Monday was the probably the best day 1 we have ever had at the state decathlon,” said Framingham High outdoor track boys head coach Chris Collins. “Framingham athletes sit in first, seventh, and ninth in a field of 72.”

No Framingham athlete has ever won the state decathlon championship to my knowledge, said Collins.

Welch, who is a senior captain of the outdoor track team, leads the 72 competitors with 31,99 points after day one, said Collins.

He has a 248 point lead on the second lace competitor, said Collins.

Welch had personal best on four out of five of his events on Monday, and tied a personal best in the high jump competition, said Collins.

Other events on day one included the 100-meter dash, the shot put, the long jump and the 400-meter.

Welch ran the 100-meter dash in 11.68 seconds and the 400-meter in 52.93 seconds. He threw the shot put 12.35 meters. He leaped 6.11 meters in the long jump.

Day 2 events include javelin and triple jump, of which Welch was a Division 1 qualifier, explained Collins.

Other day 2 events are the 110 hurdles, discus, and the 1500-meter run.

Recent graduate Vinicius Tavares is in seventh place in the state after day one with 2,725 points.

Tavares had personal bests in four of of his five events, said Collins.

In ninth place overall is junior captain Paul Halberstadt with 2,699 points, said Collins.

If rains postpones today’s day 2, the competition is expected to resume on Wednesday, June 10.