Decathlete Calvo will compete in long jump

One of the best decathletes in Penn history will be competing in the Penn Relays. And though he will not take part in his signature race, Kyle Calvo will compete in two events that exhibit his talent in the multi-faceted competition.

Calvo, a sophomore from Somerville, N.J., will be taking part in the long jump and shuttle hurdles for the Quakers. That will be a welcome task for an athlete who, as a freshman long jumper, was first-team All-Ivy, outdoor Heptagonal champion and All-East.

"Long jump has been good to me," Calvo said of his best decathlon event.

After winning the Princeton Decathlon April 15 and competing again a week later in Princeton for the Larry Ellis Invitational, the prospect of another decathlon so soon is too demanding on the body. The sophomore will focus on what he enjoys in a relatively less strenuous Penn Relays.

"It's ten events in two days -- an extremely tiring event," Penn coach Charlie Powell said of the decathlon.

Other than the obvious physical challenge it poses, the mental aspect of competing in so many events in such a short time presents a hidden obstacle. Each event requires extreme focus since one bad result can deliver a blow to the final score.

"The hardest thing is the mental part," Calvo said. "You have to be up for every event."

Fortunately, the Penn coaching staff boasts a member that knows the struggles decathletes face. Assistant coach Jamie Cook has been working with Calvo throughout his collegiate career, and he has much experience to share. Cook was a three-time All-American at Penn State, and he qualified to compete in the Olympic Trials in 2004 by recording a personal-best 7,853 points.

"Jamie tries to keep my head straight," Calvo said. "He really keeps me positive."

There is already much for him to be positive about. The score of 7,370 that Calvo earned at Princeton ranks as the fourth-best score in Penn history. But he believes that he can improve on this year's first-place performance.

"I've got a lot more in me," he said.

That is not hard to believe; there is plenty more time remaining for him on campus. The potential for improvement generates much excitement considering his early success.

"He's only a sophomore," said Powell about his versatile athlete. "He's already a top hurdler and one of the best long jumpers in the country."

Calvo claims that he did not have any early influences or goals to become a decathlete, but the two came together through a "fluke accident." If it were not for the fact that he took a chance, he may never have become involved in decathlons.

"In high school, I was doing nationals and heard about the pentathlon, which is only five events," he said. "I had no real reason to do it, but I ended up winning."

So with this early success, it would seem like a possibility for Calvo to continue competing in decathlons after college, just as his mentor Cook decided to do. The idea has not crossed his mind yet, though, as he still has his collegiate career to consider.

"If it happens, it happens," he said.

But this time, he knows if it does eventually happen, it won't be by chance.

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