Oregon’s Dakotah Keys just completed his final decathlon as a Duck, capping a five-year career with a third place finish in the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The senior put on a good final performance Thursday afternoon, and as he spoke with the media after the meet he was emotional — talking about his performance, legacy and family.
Based on yesterday, you came into today with some confidence. How did it go?
I think it went pretty well. Little rough in the vault, but its all about the team — that’s what matters.
Relief getting over the first one in the pole vault?
I didn’t think it would be a big deal when I cleared it. My family went crazy, kind of had fun with it. Threw both my hands up like it was the best thing in the world — and it really was. One of those things you have to get rolling again, but yeah I was really excited.
Obviously wanted to win the whole thing, but points wise were you where you wanted to be?
No, I thought I would be a little closer to 8000. But the way the decathlon works, its just one of those things. I’m still really excited about it, 7863, I think its fourth or fifth best score, so I’m happy with it.
Pretty impressive feat these past two years.
Yeah, third place last year and third place this year. Ever since high school I’ve always cared about the team. So it’s the points, six points, that’s what I am excited about. I am excited to hopefully win another National Championship with the team.
Does the result mean more being your senior year?
This has been an amazing five years; I am really blessed to be a part of this team and the community. What we have here is really amazing. You can hear from the crowd, I am just blessed to be a part of this whole thing — the history of Eugene, what they have done for me is amazing.
We can hear the emotion in your voice, how cool was that final bow for you?
I didn’t think I would be emotional about it, but it’s a long time. Five years spent training — I don’t know, almost relieving to be a part of it and be done. The coaches have done a great job getting me ready for what will happen after.
What is the biggest difference in you over these five years?
I would say maturity. I have been married now for five years. I’ve been a team captain for three years. My wife and I am pregnant with our first, we are due in September. I think just maturity wise and confidence, the guys believe in me and I believe in the guys I am training with. Confidence in my faith, confidence in myself.
How do you think you are leaving the decathlon at Oregon?
Coming in after Ashton (Eaton) was big shoes to fill, shoes that I really couldn’t fill. So what I hope I did with this team was just instill what I am off the track, what I mean to the guys. Whether its being a leader, how to practice, how to push yourself, how to do the right things. Just how to do the small things. I’ve never drank, never partied, instilling those things in the younger guys. I’ve won three Pac-12 titles, so hopefully the guys I’ve been training with can step up and do those things too. I totally believe they can.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur