Ryan Talbot He will graduate from Michigan State University in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and a minor in coaching. A native of Alto, Michigan, Talbot was a member of the Michigan State University track and field team, where he was a Big Ten champion and a multiple-time All-American in the decathlon. Talbot is … at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Heath BaldwinWho He won the tournament and went on to represent the United States at the Paris Olympics..
Ryan Talbot and Heath Baldwin after the decathlon at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Courtesy of Ryan Talbot
With about 250 meters to go in the 1500 meters of the decathlon at this year's Olympic Trials, I caught up with my teammate, Heath Baldwin. We've run together hundreds of times as training partners and teammates, so I knew there was a chance I might pass him at the end of the race. But I also knew I would be trying to pull him toward the finish line. So as I passed him, I tapped him on the back and said, “Let's go!”
About 40 seconds later, Heath became the U.S. Olympic Decathlon Team Trials champion. He will be competing in Paris later this summer, and I was so excited to celebrate with him at the finish line.
The decathlon is one of the most demanding athletics events. It involves 10 events over two days. On the first day, athletes compete in the 100m, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400m. On the second day, athletes compete in the 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and finally the 1,500m. Athletes earn points based on their performance in each event (the better they perform, the more points they receive), and the athlete with the most points at the end wins (Heath earned 8,625 points at the Olympic Trials, the third-highest score ever for a collegiate athlete). To be a decathlon athlete is speed, strength, endurance, athleticism, and a great deal of resilience. Failure in one event can derail the entire event.
It also takes perseverance. Since April, I have competed in four decathlons and made it to the top of the Olympic Trials. This was my last competition in the green and white uniform, but I am very proud because I come from a family of Spartans and Spartan athletes, and my mother was a heptathlete on the track and field team. I placed eighth and was invited to the Thorpe Cup, an international competition between the U.S. and Germany in Wetzlar, Germany, in July. After that, I will be going to Paris to cheer on my teammate Heath.
Left to right: Ryan Talbot, coach Richard Fisher and Heath Baldwin. Photo by Ryan Talbot
Although I won't be able to watch as closely as I did at the Olympic Trials, I can't wait to cheer him on.
It was an honor to be a part of his journey and help him in any way. Competing together in such tough competitions has allowed us to develop a brotherhood. Whether it be on the track or on the pole vault runway, we always try to support and encourage each other. It was truly amazing to see him finally cross the finish line and claim the championship. Plus, I was lucky enough to be one of the first to congratulate him. We both wore MSU singlets at the finish line and it felt amazing.
The support we have received from the MSU community has made this experience even more amazing. The coaches and athletic department have taken great care of us. We have also received positive messages from faculty and staff. It was really nice to see how many people support us in East Lansing, and it's good to know Heath will have that support at the Olympics.
Although Heath and I won’t be able to wear the green and white at any tournaments this summer, it will be great to represent the Spartans in the red, white and blue.
Go green!