Fischetti Earns All-American Honors
Groton resident Matt Fischetti earned All-American honors by placing fifth in the decathlon at the prestigious National Scholastic Athletics Foundation (NSAF) New Balance Nationals held at Greensboro, North Carolina, over the weekend of June 13-15. Fischetti is a 2014 graduate of Phillips Academy in Andover and will continue his track career at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland
Competing against some of the best track athletes from across the nation, Fischetti accumulated 6,223 points, just 337 out of first place. In an extraordinary personal performance, Fischetti set personnel bests in several events.
"A lot of people think participating in decathlon is really difficult," said Fischetti. "It does take a lot of training but you don't have to be the best in any one event. Just be good in several and, fortunately, I was able be competitive."
Matt scored his most points in the 400 meters (762 pts.) and 1500 (742 pts.), while setting personal-bests in the shot put (40' 9.75") feet) and pole vault (11'8"). His performance summary includes100 meters - 11.58 sec, (736pt), long jump 18' 11.25" (537), shot put (633 pts.), high jump 5' 11.25" (636), 400 meters - 51.16 sec (762), 110 hurdles - 15.95 sec (738), discus throw 102' 0" (486), pole vault (496), javelin throw 134' 8" (457), 1500 meters 4:30.43 (742).
Fischetti stopped his workout long enough to speak with me last Monday. "I try and encourage track and field athletes to think about decathlon. I have had positive experiences meeting people at the meets," he continued. Older brother, Nick, is a sophomore at Connecticut College and is a decathlete finishing seventh in the Division 3 New England meet with a school record 5,329.
Matt's father Joseph Fischetti has always encouraged his boys in their athletic endeavors. "I guess you would say tough love is the way Dad worked us, "continued Fischetti. "He was passionate, supportive and pushed us to do our best."
After returning from a trip from Aruba, he is tentatively scheduled to compete at the USATF Region 1 decathlon at Fitchburg State July 10-11.
