The average Bonita Vista High (BVH) track and field athlete competes in two to three events, however, senior Anthony Wise does it all. For his last high school season, Wise aims to become a decathlete—an athlete that partakes in ten different sporting activities in track and field events including the 100m dash, hurdle jumping and other aerobic exercises.
With the given amount of events in a track and field decathlon, Wise requires focus and practice to achieve his goal of becoming a great decathlete. In order to do so, Wise gave up football and wrestling to focus on his track and field career.
“I felt like [quitting other sports] was necessary. I was a little bummed that I missed my senior year for football and wrestling. I missed those senior nights and all the special things that come with being a senior in those sports, but I know that it is going to be worth it in the future for track,” Wise said.
Wise’s feelings toward missing out on wrestling and football worked as a motivation to succeed in this upcoming track season. He felt the need to reach higher achievements in track as a way to make up for his missed achievements in his other sports. To claim those achievements, Wise began training for his wide variety of events.
“I am happy that I got this opportunity to do so many events. Not a lot of people have the time to focus on so many things. Usually, we will see people only do two, maybe three [events], but I am glad that I have good coaches who help me and guide me to be the best I can be,” Wise said.
The coaches who help Wise and guide him in track and field help him with his physicality and mentality. Becoming a decathlete could be viewed as a large responsibility. Moreover, taking on multiple large events in a short time led to many challenges.
“I have had to face mental challenges like fear of failure and stress. I have just learned to overcome these just by enjoying the sport and having fun. There are some little small things, but it is just in my head. Like a mental block, so it is not something super physical,” Wise said.
Wise’s stresses and concerns are subsided by his enjoyment for track and field with the help of his track and field coach Joseph Sheffield. Sheffield admires Wise’s dedication and courage to aim to be a high level decathlete and views him as a special athlete. With this admiration, he proves to help Wise with self motivation.
“He is loyal to his practices. He is very dedicated. At times he needs to be self-motivated. That is what I am trying to teach him, to be self-motivated. I am trying to teach him that it does not always go well all the time, and you do not need to get down,” Sheffield said.
Sheffield acknowledges the hefty responsibility that Wise is taking by becoming a decathlete and treats him with respect. Additionally, he encourages and motivates Wise if some of the events he participated in do not go as planned.
“I hope that he will realize that he has great potential to be one of the best in the county, and hopefully he doesn’t lose sight of that. It happens to every sport, it is not always that you always do good, and there is a time when you go through the valleys and you do real bad. I hope that he doesn’t stay down in the valleys and learns how to get out of it,” Sheffield said.
Wise has multiple events to participate in as a decathlete ranging from the high jump, to discus, to the pole vault. Covering these events can have stress inducing effects, Wise combats this with doing the best he can with his best friend—track athlete and senior Tyler Scott.
“He has been on varsity for multiple years. He’s our best pole vaulter as of now. He is probably going to be our best long jumper this year as well. He is probably going to dominate this season,” Scott said.
With the two practicing under Sheffield, Scott sees Wise to be a strong athlete and acknowledges just how dedicated Wise is for aiming high into dec-athleticism. Even with various events occurring, Scott explains how Wise keeps sight of his responsibilities as a student and as a friend.
“He is one of the funniest people I know. He will come into the room and make anybody smile. He’s a bit reserved. But when he is comfortable around people, he is really fun,” Scott said.
Scott and Wise work out and train together during track practice. The effort Wise puts into his exercises to keep up with his track and field decathlon events give Scott inspiration to work as hard as his best friend.
“I see him day in and day out working hard and it drives me to do the same thing. I think that brings us closer,” Scott said.
Wise’s connections with his coach alongside his best friend and his practices with his physical capability give him the strength to continue track and field. He takes all he can get to keep pushing through all of his events on track.
“[Dec-athleticism is] something that I know I can do. I have the right skills and talent for it, so why not? It is like if someone’s a singer but did not use their talent. I have this gift so I should use it,” Wise said.
