SPIKES.IAAF.ORG about a two-and-a-half hour drive to the east of Eugene, Eaton took up track at middle school. A talented all-round sportsman, it was just one of the many activities the energetic youngster devoted his time to, and he recalls several “cool” experiences of running at Hayward Field prior to his Prefontaine Classic enlightenment. He remembers his trips to Deb’s pancake diner with particular clarity, where he would feast on strawberry pancakes with whipped cream to alleviate any nerves. Taking track more seriously as he developed through high school, Eaton won state high school titles in the 400m and long jump. Several colleges were keen to recruit the all-round athletic talent, who at this time was also a taekwondo black belt and a promising footballer. For Eaton, there was no choice to be made. Encouraged to try multi-events, his heart was set on furthering his career at the University of Oregon. “Of all the places I visited, I knew Oregon was the best place for me. It wasn’t just because I was from Oregon, I knew the university understood track in the way I wanted to understand track,” he says. “So while my degree says Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, I really majored in track and field.” Initially under the coaching of Dan Steele, in only his sixth ever decathlon, aged 20, he cracked the 8000pts barrier: something achieved by only the top 30 or
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