Hampton-Dumont-CAL Alumnus Gage Plagge is on the home stretch of his first collegiate track and field season at Northwestern College (NAIA) in Orange City. Plagge is currently studying Agricultural Business and most recently competed in the decathlon for the Red Raiders.
The decathlon is full slate for competitors between running and field events including the 100m, 400m, 110m hurdles, 1500m, long jump, high jump, shot put, discus, pole vault and javelin.
Plagge on preparedness for taking on the event and connection with teammates.
“I feel like jumping’s been part of my whole life and running as well. Pole vaulting and javelin we don’t have them here in Iowa, so I got to them in college. It’s a bit of an adjustment. Overall, things are going pretty well,” says Plagge. “I know that I’m not known to do the multis, but as I work on it more and more, I’ll get better at it for sure, no doubt. In the open 400 or open 100, you’re always just by yourself. The multis, you’re with a bunch of guys that you’re with in the 10 events. I feel like you get a great bond and great connection with them over time.”
Plagge last competed at the Red Raider Open on April 16-17, placing fifth in his first career decathlon with 4461 points. As part of the event, he placed first in the 100m (11.49) and 400m (52.86) and third in the long jump (19-1.25).
Plagge on goal point total in the event and plan for future stages of collegiate career.
“It’s all about points. The higher your place is, the more points you get. I’m trying to gain all first and second in all the events. Right now, I’m sitting at fourth for all of them. As I go on from here, I can keep working at it and hopefully get to the 6,000 point mark. I think I might stay at Northwestern, to try to leave a mark. I want to leave a message that, I was here and this is what I can do. It doesn’t matter if it’s a D1, a D3 or an NAIA. It just matters what you leave behind. That’s what I want to do. I just want to stay at Northwestern and leave a big mark.”
Head Athletic Performance Coach Carter Aguilera was noted by Plagge as a source of support in field event development, especially shot put and discus.
Plagge gives advice on training for the next level.
“It’s all about working outside school hours, that’s something for me. For long jump, I worked outside school hours all the time and that’s why I’m pretty good at it. You just gotta work on your own. You can work as a team, but it’s mostly on your own. Just go out there during the day or after school, to do a little bit more than the workout. Just go at it.”
Up next for the Red Raiders is the Great Plains Athletic Conference Championships in Hastings, Nebraska on May 2-3.
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