Scantling secures U.S decathlon title at nationals
Garrett Scantling took over the lead on Day 2 and secured the U.S decathlon title with standout performances, reflecting on the perseverance and called the victory an amazing feeling.
Video Transcript
As we look at the decathlon that's about ready to wrap up.
The busiest men in track and field are completing their 10th event over two days of competition.
As Trey Hardee rejoins me, you know what this feeling is like.
Is it excitement or dread?
Little of column A, little of column B.
And right now for Garrett Scantling, oldest man in the field, trying to cap off a two days that I don't know if a couple of years ago he thought would ever come back after two years away from the sport, having some whereabouts filings, failures, and serving his suspension.
He is back trying to find that form that made him back in the, like the Tokyo Olympics, the next best American decathlete.
And he'll go up against the best American decathlete last year, one of the best in the world, the bronze medalist in Beijing last year, and the national champion, Kyle Garland.
The freight train will not give up that, that title very easily, but we've got the two Georgia Bulldogs in a dog fight here in the 1500.
There's a little bit of space, Paul, that Garrett has on Kyle, but he, he hasn't really raced a competitive 1500 in quite some time.
All the decathletes to the line as one group to cover the 1500.
And as we get them underway, that margin between Scantling and Garland is 103 points.
So Scantling in good position for a third national title, but he's got to keep himself in this.
And despite the name Freight Train, could still run a pretty good 1500.
When called upon, when he, when it mattered most, he put together an amazing 1500 and set a good personal best down into the 4:30s.
A pretty decent margin, equals to be about 17-ish, 17 As you see Scantling in about fourth position, and Garland just kind of sizing him up here on this first 300 meters to the finish line as this group stays together.
And as the daylight begins to recede from the Eastern Seaboard here in New York where the lights of Manhattan are seen in the distance, McMorris now gearing himself up for this one last trip around the Icahn Stadium o- oval.
Bell lap for these decathletes as we again keep an eye on Scantling and Garland down near the back of the pack, as you start to feel how heavy those legs are for both of these decathletes with now just 300 meters to run.
McMorris doing everything he can Garrett is gonna have to do something miraculous here in the final 300, but he, Kyle Garland is battle-tested.
He does this three times a year, is not afraid of anything that you can throw at him.
It wasn't his best two days, but you can see it on Garrett Scantling's face.
He's gonna meet the moment, not let Kyle pass him up.
And McMorris As the decathletes come off the final turn, that race in front, again it's a race against the clock and the points table.
And there is first and second side by side.
Garland now moves ahead.
He had the lead after the first day, but Garrett Scantling has had a amazing second day, and now just trying to hold on to return to the top of the podium in the US Decathlon National Champion as those two come across the line about three strides apart.
And that's gonna do it for Garrett Scantling.
He's gonna add yet another US title.
As they continue to- Wait for the times to officially- make the times official.
We get a final total for Garrett Scantling.
So now the realization- Times are not in yet.
They're coming and the relief as he- It's officially- completed the two days of competition and has won another US Decathlon title, 8,526 points as Garland finishes second, 95 points behind.
You just see relief on Scantling's face.
Yeah, let's go!
Now you see this is years of emotion, the time spent away from the sport.
Let's go.
I counted you out, baby.
And I think we look back on this moment right here in the years to come as the first step back towards the Garrett Scantling we saw in 2021 and 2022.
Oh my God, you did so good.
Oh my God.
You did so good.
He had said that this US championship would be his only decathlon of 2026, and he makes the most of that opportunity.
And big support team here adjacent to him, and that medal around his neck, and that score of 8526, the best performance by a decathlete in the US this year.
That hug at the end, and this finish right here, so familiar.
I mentioned they both went to Georgia.
Scantling coached Kyle his first couple of years in college, showed him the ropes, was that inspiration for him to keep going, and it, Garrett said it made him a better decathlete.
"Having to now got to walk the walk I've been telling this kid how to get it done for all these years" What a, what a story Garrett Scanlan is writing a- as two of the best in American history go one-two Yes!
Now right back in the conversation for those years to come.
World Championship year in 2027, and the road to Los Angeles now firmly in view.
Garrett Scanlan joins Lewis Johnson to reflect on a very long but very successful two days of competition.
Lew.
Garrett, I see you looking back at everybody, enjoying what you just did.
Just describe this moment for yourself, the return back to good a National Championship, and then all the support behind you here.
Lewis, the feeling is amazing.
I mean, after what I've been through the past three years with everything that's happened with me, perseverance is the word I use the most, and family, because without them I am nothing.
I mean, they have been with me every step of the way no matter what happens, and I think that's the most important thing in life is having a good support system and a good family behind you.
So no matter what you do in life, you make mistakes, you bounce back, and good things can happen.
Incredible.
You had a s- kind of a circuitous, journey i- into football and back over here.
What brought you back to this?
I think that it was my coach, honestly.
Petros.
You know, he coaches at the University of Illinois now, but he's always been there for me no matter what.
And, like I said, having somebody like that in your corner, you know that you owe him a lot, but you owe it to yourself to see what you can do with your life.
So I'm happy, man.
I'm really happy.
Congratulations on this.
I throw it back to you guys.
Take a look at this shirt here.
This young man has a shirt here that says, "Unbroken."
And Garrett, that's his nephew, and he is here to support his uncle.
Lee, back up to you.
Yeah, some beautiful words there after an epic performance from Garrett.
Thank you.
Nicely done.
Congratulations.
And that's what this 2026 Toyota USA TF Outdoor and Paraoutdoor Championships are all about.
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