Mr. Tibbs

A little research has turned into a full-time sport for Rogers' junior decathlete Michael Tibbs. It all started in middle school and junior high where Tibbs' constant goal was breaking track records. After someone mentioned the decathlon, a competition in 10 events, Tibbs started researching the sport and reading about U.S. Decathlon Olympic Champion Bruce Jenner. Realizing he could do well in all the events, Tibbs decided to try the decathlon. "He is one of those guys who is real good at everything," said Jay Miles, Tibbs' coach at Rogers High School and in AAU. "He's not good enough to win but can compete in all events." In the decathlon, winning is not necessarily important. Times and distances in the 10 events are given a certain amount of points. The decathlon is won by the competitor with the most points. Therefore, if a competitor can score well in all events, that is the advantage. Because of the wide range of events, usually a participant has events he is strong in and ones in which he is weak. Depending on where Tibbs is competing (AAU or high school), the 10 events consist of a short race (60, 100 or 200 meters) the jumps (long, triple and high), pole vault, throws (discus, shot or javelin), hurdles (60 or 110), the 400 meter and either the 1,500 or 1,600-meter race. "My favorite is the pole vault, and it is fun flying the discus through the air," Tibbs said. "The decathlon is mentally and physically fun, but more mentally challenging than physically." Because an athlete can't participate in the decathlon in AAU until he is 15, Tibbs didn't start competition until two years ago. At the 2006 AAU Region 8 Intermediate competition, he finished fifth--one spot shy of making nationals. A ninth-place finish in the 2007 Arkansas state decathlon was his first time participating in that event. However, last summer was good to him. He won both the AAU Region 8 Intermediate and the AAU Junior Olympic Intermediate competitions. "He has natural speed, and in most field events, you need that raw speed," Miles said. "He has worked hard in the weight room and improved his strength. He has a legitimate shot at winning (the Arkansas state decathlon)." While that is true, Tibbs' mother Sharen knows it won't be so easy winning the two-day competition May 28-29 in Cabot. Tibbs' participation in the decathlon has become a family affair. Sharen spends a lot of time researching the competition. She has compiled two books of what Tibbs' competitors can do, one for AAU and one for the Arkansas state meet. Having access to that information has been very handy for Tibbs. At the AAU Junior Olympics, knowing what marks score what points and what the competition could do, Tibbs used that knowledge to win the meet. "I research every competitor and get his points and PR's (personal records)," Sharen said. "At the Junior Olympics meet, other guys were coming up and asking me for information. I like numbers and stats. I have every kid pegged in my books. It's becoming more and more of an obsession." Tibbs' father, Mike, has also taken an interest. He helps train and also videotapes. Mike learned his knowledge of technique and form by going to camps, reading and researching and actively listening to other coaches. "I videotape all his events, and we review them after his event," Mike said. "We'll make changes in form and technique. I've always loved coaching, and I love this." Always wanting to break records, Tibbs has two more in mind. He wants to break the Rogers High School record of 8,376 points set by Dan Culp in 1998, and the Arkansas state record of 8,860 set by Bubba Brown of Benton in 1985. Because of his high goals, Tibbs is constantly training. He gets up 5:30 a.m. to lift weights for football so he can be at track practice after school. He trains for all events in addition to participating in five to six events in the high school track meets, and three days a week he has speed training in the evenings. In addition, he maintains a 4.0 GPA and at 6-feet, 192 pounds is also being recruited as a running back. Tibbs admits he doesn't have a social life and also admits he puts athletics over academics. For him, the decathlon makes sense. "I like that you can measure how good an athlete you are in a point value compared to everyone else," he said. "If you are good, you can get recruited." If Tibbs continues his path, he will be doing more research next school year. This time, it will be deciding on which university recruiting him to attend and deciding whether to do football or the decathlon.