Curtis Beach
Encyclopedia
Curtis Beach is an American
decathlete
, competing for Duke University
. He is coached by superior trainer Vijay Menon. He holds the current high school records in the decathlon using three different implement standards: high school (7,909 points), international junior (7,599 points) and international senior (7,466 points). His performances in the high jump, 400 meters, and 1,500 meters were superior to those of U.S. Olympic gold medalist Bryan Clay
in the 2008 Olympic Games. At the 2011 NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship
, as a freshman, Beach finished second overall in the decathlon. His 3:59.13 finish in the 1500 meter shattered the previous collegiate record and is the second-fastest 1500 meter in world history for a decathlon, just missing Robert Baker's mark from 1980.
At the National Scholastic Indoor Championships
in New York, in March 2009, Beach reached 4127 points in the pentathlon
, winning the championship and ranking #2 on the all time list, trailing Donovan Kilmartin (4303 points).
At the 42nd Arcadia Invitational, in April 2009, Beach had a points total of 7,909 (with high school implements) in the decathlon to crush Ryan Thierault's record of 7417.
At the Great Southwest Classic in Albuquerque, in June 2009, Beach broke the high school record for decathlon with international implements (set by Craig Brigham in 1972) with 7466 to Brigham's 7359. Dyestat noted that "[Beach] ends all doubt—he is the greatest US high school decathlete ever."
, Beach finished in 12th place in the heptathlon with a score of 5,533 points. Beach's 1000 m time of 2:27.88 is a world heptathlon best. At the 2011 NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship
, as a freshman, Beach finished second overall in the decathlon. His 3:59.13 finish in the 1500 meter shattered the previous collegiate record and is the second-fastest 1500 meter in world history for a decathlon, just missing Robert Baker's mark from 1980.
, Beach placed 4th in the octathlon.
At the USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Beach won the decathlon (against both high school athletes and college freshman) setting the junior, under age 20 record (with junior implements) accumulating 7599 points. He capped this victory off by winning the 1500 meters in 4:07.85 during windy conditions, a time that would have beat the US senior 1500 meter decathlon winner by almost 15 seconds.
At the 2009 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships
, Beach won the decathlon with a points total of 7377.
award. As a result, the Governor of New Mexico declared July 1 "Curtis Beach & Vijay Day," in New Mexico.
Beach was featured in Sports Illustrated
in the Faces in the Crowd
section.
Beach graduated in May 2009 from Albuquerque Academy
, and now attends Duke University
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
decathlete
Decathlon
The decathlon is a combined event in athletics consisting of ten track and field events. The word decathlon is of Greek origin . Events are held over two consecutive days and the winners are determined by the combined performance in all. Performance is judged on a points system in each event, not...
, competing for Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
. He is coached by superior trainer Vijay Menon. He holds the current high school records in the decathlon using three different implement standards: high school (7,909 points), international junior (7,599 points) and international senior (7,466 points). His performances in the high jump, 400 meters, and 1,500 meters were superior to those of U.S. Olympic gold medalist Bryan Clay
Bryan Clay
Bryan Ezra Tsumoru Clay is an American decathlete. He is the reigning Olympic champion for the decathlon and was also World champion in 2005.-Biography:...
in the 2008 Olympic Games. At the 2011 NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship
NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship
The NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship is an annual collegiate outdoor track and field competition for men organised by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. It has three divisions: Division I, II, and III. Athlete's individual performances earn points for their institution and...
, as a freshman, Beach finished second overall in the decathlon. His 3:59.13 finish in the 1500 meter shattered the previous collegiate record and is the second-fastest 1500 meter in world history for a decathlon, just missing Robert Baker's mark from 1980.
High school career
In total, Beach has won 17 individual New Mexico state titles in track and field events during his high school career.At the National Scholastic Indoor Championships
National Scholastic Indoor Championships
The National Scholastic Indoor Championships or "NSIC" are, along with Nike Indoor Nationals, one of two American high school national championship indoor track and field meets. High school participants from across the country compete for the honor of being named NSIC high school All-America...
in New York, in March 2009, Beach reached 4127 points in the pentathlon
Pentathlon
A pentathlon is a contest featuring five different events. The name is derived from Greek: combining the words pente and -athlon . The first pentathlon was documented in Ancient Greece and was part of the Ancient Olympic Games...
, winning the championship and ranking #2 on the all time list, trailing Donovan Kilmartin (4303 points).
At the 42nd Arcadia Invitational, in April 2009, Beach had a points total of 7,909 (with high school implements) in the decathlon to crush Ryan Thierault's record of 7417.
At the Great Southwest Classic in Albuquerque, in June 2009, Beach broke the high school record for decathlon with international implements (set by Craig Brigham in 1972) with 7466 to Brigham's 7359. Dyestat noted that "[Beach] ends all doubt—he is the greatest US high school decathlete ever."
College career
At the 2010 NCAA Indoor ChampionshipsNCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship
NCAA team champions for Men's Indoor Track and Field-See also:*NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship*NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship*NCAA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship*Pre-NCAA Indoor Track and Field Champions...
, Beach finished in 12th place in the heptathlon with a score of 5,533 points. Beach's 1000 m time of 2:27.88 is a world heptathlon best. At the 2011 NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship
NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship
The NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship is an annual collegiate outdoor track and field competition for men organised by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. It has three divisions: Division I, II, and III. Athlete's individual performances earn points for their institution and...
, as a freshman, Beach finished second overall in the decathlon. His 3:59.13 finish in the 1500 meter shattered the previous collegiate record and is the second-fastest 1500 meter in world history for a decathlon, just missing Robert Baker's mark from 1980.
International career
At the 2007 World Youth Championships in Athletics2007 World Youth Championships in Athletics
The 2007 World Youth Championships in Athletics were the fifth edition of the IAAF World Youth Championships in Athletics. They were held on 11–15 July 2007 in Ostrava, Czech Republic.- Boys :- Girls :- Medals table :- External links :* *...
, Beach placed 4th in the octathlon.
At the USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Beach won the decathlon (against both high school athletes and college freshman) setting the junior, under age 20 record (with junior implements) accumulating 7599 points. He capped this victory off by winning the 1500 meters in 4:07.85 during windy conditions, a time that would have beat the US senior 1500 meter decathlon winner by almost 15 seconds.
At the 2009 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships
2009 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships
The 2009 Pan American Junior Championships were held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on July 31 to August 2, 2009.-Men:-Women:-External links:*...
, Beach won the decathlon with a points total of 7377.
Personal
Beach won the 2008-09 Gatorade National Boys Track & Field Athlete of the YearGatorade Player of the Year awards
The Gatorade Player of the Year awards are given annually to male and female high-school student-athletes in the United States. They are given for boys' baseball, boys' football, girls' softball, girls' volleyball, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, boys' cross country, girls' cross country,...
award. As a result, the Governor of New Mexico declared July 1 "Curtis Beach & Vijay Day," in New Mexico.
Beach was featured in Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
in the Faces in the Crowd
Faces in the Crowd
Faces in the Crowd is a long-running segment from Sports Illustrated. Starting in the January 9, 1956 issue, the segment was originally titled These Faces in the Crowd. The predecessor to These Faces... was a segment called Pat on the Back. It differed in that it did not just focus on unknown or...
section.
Beach graduated in May 2009 from Albuquerque Academy
Albuquerque Academy
Albuquerque Academy is an independent co-educational day school for grades six through twelve located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest and the New Mexico State Department of Education. Albuquerque Academy is also a member of...
, and now attends Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
.