Pappas remains hopeful as decathlete

Tom Pappas was disappointed not to be able to compete in the decathlon at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene.

The 10-event competition concluded today, minus the top two American decathletes of the past decade. Bryan Clay, the 2008 Olympic decathlon gold medalist and heavy favorite, was a late scratch due to a sore left hamstring sustained during a practice session on Tuesday.

Pappas, an Azalea native and 1994 Glendale High graduate, said Wednesday from Manhattan, Kan., he feels good physically but didn't want to risk an injury. The 2003 world champion and five-time U.S. outdoor decathlon champion suffered a stress fracture in his right foot last December and missed over a month of training.

“We talked a lot about doing nationals, but I felt like I needed more time,” said Pappas, a 6-foot-5, 205-pounder who turns 33 on Sept. 6. “I'm doing well. Ever since it (stress fracture) healed I haven't had any problems.

“I've been healthy for several months, but would've hated to go out there and get hurt. It wasn't worth the risk. I'd rather train another month or two, then try to put up a really big score.”

Of course, passing up a meet at Hayward Field was difficult for the former Lane Community College and University of Tennessee standout. Pappas finished third in the decathlon with 8,511 points at the 2008 Olympic Trials in Eugene, making the U.S. Olympic team for the third time.

“It's hard enough to miss nationals, but when you have a chance to have all your family and friends see you compete, that makes it harder,” he said. “It's not a good feeling to be on the other side and watching, but it'll be nice to see my family.”

Pappas, who just finished his second year as an assistant coach at Kansas State, plans to be in Oregon this weekend to visit his parents and catch the final day of the meet on Sunday.

Dan O'Brien (8,891 points), Clay (8,832) and Pappas (8,784) head the all-time U.S. decathlon list. Pappas says he's impressed with University of Oregon senior-to-be Ashton Eaton, who won the NCAA title (8,241) and was in second place behind James “Trey” Hardee heading into today's final five events in Eugene.

“The kid is an unbelievable runner and jumper,” Pappas said of Eaton, who's from Bend. “When he figures out his throws, he's definitely the future of the sport.”

Pappas still believes there's some gas left in his tank. Unfortunately, an Olympic medal has eluded him. After finishing fifth at the 2000 Games in Sydney, he was unable to complete the decathlons in Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008) due to foot injuries.

“If I felt like I couldn't compete with the best guys and score a lot of points, I wouldn't be putting myself through this again,” he said. “It seems like a big question mark for me is whether I can stay healthy or not. Even though I'm getting up in age my body feels good right now. If I can keep it that way, I know I can do some good things.

“I don't want to end my career the way I went out in Beijing. If anything, I want to end it on a good meet.”

Pappas is pointing toward the U.S. vs. Germany Decathlon in Marburg on Aug. 8-9.

KEITZMAN RETURNING TO WOU

Blake Keitzman, a Roseburg graduate, is planning on returning for his senior season with the Western Oregon University baseball team.

The left-handed pitcher, a 15th round selection by the Seattle Mariners in the recent Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, said the health of his right knee and helping the Wolves advance to the Division II World Series were factors in his decision. He will have surgery on the knee — which he originally injured during the 2006 American Legion baseball season with Dr. Stewart's — sometime in July to repair a torn meniscus.

“It's definitely been a hectic couple of weeks,” Keitzman said of the decision. “I feel I'm making the right decision for myself. Another extra year (of college) will benefit me more.”

Even with a sore knee, Keitzman turned in a fantastic junior season for the Wolves of Monmouth en route to All-American honors. He transferred to WOU following two seasons as a reliever at D-I Oregon State, helping the Beavers win the national championship in 2007.

The 6-foot, 175-pounder finished 9-0 with a 2.08 earned run average, striking out 92 batters in 86 1/3 innings. Opponents batted .197 against him. Getting drafted by the Mariners, he said, “was an awesome feeling.”

The Wolves, guided by Douglas High graduate Jeremiah Robbins, won their eighth straight Great Northwest Athletic Conference title and went 34-14 overall. Robbins, who's 141-65 in four years as WOU's head coach, says the 2010 team looks promising on paper — especially with Keitzman as the ace.

“It's something I didn't expect, but obviously we're very excited to have him back,” Robbins said from Omaha, Neb., where he was watching the College World Series finals between LSU and Texas. “He threw 91 (mph) with a bad knee, but the curveball was his best pitch and that's what got him drafted. Blake is going to be fun to watch next year.”

• You can reach Sports Editor Tom Eggers at 957-4220 or by e-mail at teggers@nrtoday.com