Freshman Lincoln Phillips Delivers Men's Track and Field's First MIAA Decathlon Crown

Hope College freshman Lincoln Phillips culminated a months-long journey by delivering a winning performance in the decathlon during the two-day MIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week at Brewer Track.

Phillips (Dorr, Michigan / Hamilton) posted a first-place, 10-event total of 6,213 points over Monday and Tuesday and earned 10 points for the Flying Dutchmen. He became Hope's first champion in the event after claiming a silver medal in the men's heptathlon at the MIAA Indoor Championships in February.

"It means everything to me. It's truly a blessing and feels like the payoff for months of hard work from me and my teammates," Phillips said. "We've been pushing each other every day, and seeing it all come together is incredibly rewarding. The second-place finish during indoor season stayed with me and served as motivation, so to come back and win here means a lot. Above all, I'm really proud of our guys and the way we all contributed to each other's success."

Head coach Jordan Bartolazzi said he is thrilled with Phillips' quick transition to the multi-events. Phillips placed ahead of Calvin University junior Zach VanBaren, who took runner-up in the field of 14 with 6,072 points.

"I feel so happy for Lincoln," Bartolazzi said. "He knew winning the decathlon was going to be a big goal for him, but I think he's even surprised how quickly he has found success in those events. I'm not surprised. He has competed so consistently. Things went his way in a few different events. His javelin was unbelievable today. He set himself up for his performance this week."

The Flying Dutchmen scored 20 points from four scoring competitors that will count toward the conference meet that will resume on Thursday-Friday, April 30-May 1, at Hope College.
Senior John Wenderski (Livonia, Michigan / University of Detroit Jesuit) finished third with 5,797 points and earned six points. It was the first completed decathlon of Wenderski's career.

"I'm also so happy for John. He's our only senior; all the other decathletes are freshmen," Bartolazzi said. "This is the first decathlon he's ever finished because of injuries and scheduling issues. To get third in his first one is incredible. He had a phenomenal discus throw. His 400 completely blew me away. He had the competition of his life."

Freshman Josh Bruxvoort (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian) took sixth among 14 entrants with 5,346 points and claimed three points. Freshman Madden Valentine (Archbold, Ohio / Archbold) finished eighth with 5,264 points to earn one point.

The 100 meters, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400 meters were held on Monday; the 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and 1,500 meters were held on Tuesday.

In the 100 meters, Phillips posted Hope's top finish by placing fourth in 11.68 seconds, while Wenderski followed in fifth place in 11.69 seconds.

In the long jump, Phillips delivered Hope's top finish with a runner-up leap of 6.47 meters (21 feet, 2.75 inches). Bruxvoort followed in third place at 6.23 meters (20 feet, 5.25 inches).

In the shot put, Wenderski recorded a win with a throw of 12.32 meters (40 feet, 5 inches). Phillips added the second-best Hope mark by placing third at 11.38 meters (37 feet, 4 inches).

In the high jump, Phillips led Hope with a runner-up clearance of 1.79 meters (5 feet, 10.5 inches), while Bruxvoort placed sixth after clearing 1.70 meters (5 feet, 7 inches).

In the 400 meters, Phillips won in 52.40 seconds to secure 707 points, while Wenderski delivered the second-best Hope finish by placing third in 53.34 seconds.

In the 110-meter hurdles, Phillips won in 14.97 seconds to secure 853 points, while Wenderski placed fourth in 15.49 seconds.

In the discus, Wenderski won with a throw of 43.31 meters (142 feet, 1 inch). Phillips followed with a fifth-place finish at 32.91 meters (107 feet, 11 inches).

In the pole vault, Phillips recorded Hope's top finish by placing third with a clearance of 3.55 meters (11 feet, 7.75 inches). Bruxvoort followed with a fourth-place finish at 3.25 meters (10 feet, 8 inches).

In the javelin, Phillips posted Hope's top finish by placing second with a throw of 47.10 meters (154 feet, 6 inches). Valentine followed with a sixth-place finish at 43.36 meters (142 feet, 3 inches).

In the 1,500 meters, Bruxvoort won with a time of 4:52.43. Valentine followed in third with a time of 5:00.34.

Bartolazzi praised Valentine for his competitive spirit during the final event to secure a point for the team. The Flying Dutchmen finished with three points more than Calvin University, who totaled the second most.

"Madden wants so badly to help the track team. He's new to track; his first year was his senior year in high school," Bartolazzi said. "In the 1,500, it all came down to an all-out sprint. Whoever won the head-to-head vs. the Trine decathlete was going to score one point. He outleaned him at the finish line."

Hope will compete next at the GVSU Tune-Up on Saturday, April 25, at 10 a.m. in Allendale.

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Players Mentioned

Josh Bruxvoort: Freshman

Lincoln Phillips: Freshman

Madden Valentine: Freshman

John Wenderski: Senior; Chemistry

Players Mentioned

Josh Bruxvoort
: Freshman

Lincoln Phillips
: Freshman

Madden Valentine
: Freshman

John Wenderski
: Senior; Chemistry