Will MATTHEW BOLING ever make the team? | Should he have done the DECATHOLON instead?

[@oliverchapman51177]

To make the Team, possibly 4x400 or alternate in the 4x100 while he medals in the Long Jump. The coaching at the next level will be crucial. Im optimistic, but there will be new sprinters every year.

[@tracktalkja]

USA 400m pool is very deep. I think he would have to focus on it to get on even as an alt. I def think he can make the LJ team in short order though.

[@wonDER1973]

Boling is not even the #1 400m runner for his Georgia Bulldog team (Godwin has put it consistently down in the 400). I do believe that he could be a great long jumper and consistently make the US team in that event.

[@laboriousTwala]

Medals in the long jump…. With a 8.02m PB??? Do you know how much depth the LJ has now? The NCAA nationals 2023 , needed +8.35m for someone to simply get on the Podium😂🤣that’s how insane the standard is now. You guys… Boling‘s LJ PB wouldn’t have even made him the World U20 champion last year in Cali. The jumps have insane depth. Don’t sleep on them

[@laboriousTwala]

@@wonDER1973 do you know how much depth the US LJ team has? Those guys are not playing Board games. Boiling would need +35cm increase on his 8.02m LJ PB , for him to even be considered as an athlete that could consistently make the team in LJ. There’s too much young talent that already jumps far in the LJ.

[@tracktalkja]

@@laboriousTwala His LJ is 8.25 indoors and that's with his focus split amongst the sprints as well. You really think he couldnt get to 8.35+ if he focused on LJ?

[@ThePecky1966]

Or he could switch to the 400. His speed would translate well over that distance.

[@GammaFZ]

He ran a 43.8 relay split

[@laboriousTwala]

To be honest, this is the best Alternative for Boling. Of all other unrealistic suggestions I’ve seen today which included LJ , and Decathlon. The depth in those 2 latter mentioned events is too deep for him to become World class in time for the Olympics. His best bet is 400m team, and even if he doesn’t medal in the individual final of the 400m, he would still secure a relay 4x400m medal with the US quartet. That’s Mathew’s best chance at a good athletics career in my opinion. Because the US 200m and 100m depth is too much now, it’s too competitive he wouldn’t swim with those guys unfortunately … his best chance is at 400m.

[@degreeO]

His best mark is his 8.25m in the LJ. Boling's LJ best would have placed him just one centimeter short of making the Olympic team in 2021. Boling's bests in the 100m, 200m, and 400m all fall far short of what it takes to make the USA Olympic team. Yes, he's a great 200m runner but that is the USA's most-loaded event. Boling should have trained as a decathlete at Georgia, now it's s too late. Btw, he pole vaulted in high school.

[@kyubeyboio5018]

Fax the mans doesnt decelerate

[@bryanrackard9268]

Yes he should have went to the decathlon . He would have set a world record in that event with some experience IMO.....

[@tracktalkja]

I honestly think so too. You think its too late to switch?

[@bryanrackard9268]

@@tracktalkja He is still very young . I would imagine that at some point after his college career is finished he will consider it. ......Cheers

[@MrJoRobb]

0 chance he would break the WR in the Decathlon. The hurdles, high jump, pole vault and shot put would be extreme losing events for him. Can't win if you're not good in 4 of 10 events at the pro level. Changing to a decathlete would mean the end of his career in track and field. 200/400 and relays are his ticket provided he continues to improve. I do think he can become the 4th man in history run under 10, 20, and 44 in the 100m, 200m and 400m however. Not a WR but still a very respectable feat.

[@tracktalkja]

@@MrJoRobb It would take him a few years to get the hang of those other events but I understand your point.

[@trinidadrodriquez876]

@@tracktalkja in 200 by 2024 he can run 19.65 to 19.70

[@marktyrrell8892]

I think he'd been an amazing decathlete. I think his high jump is quite good too.

[@sonofallah6995]

I've been watching him since highschool and he has developed so much as I knew he would. I'm from Texas and we do it big so I expect him to continue. He really needs to work on his start and critique his form and the sky is the limit. Overall I'm still proud of his journey. He should stick to what got him there.👍✌️. I love Track and Field 😊

[@luckyduck7073]

With the right team he can run 19.8 this year

[@Ghoster311]

When he ran 19.92 it was into a -.9 headwind so he has already run a 19.8 basic. He needs to go 19.7 to show some real improvement this year.

[@matthewkaram9615]

20.12 indoor crazy. He can make it.🤝

[@oliverchapman51177]

I agree with everything you said. And I’m not sure that has ever happened to me. Your evaluations are spot on!

[@tracktalkja]

Much appreciated sir 🙂

[@mrdefinitely8769]

"Father Time is still on his time" = true statement. That said, and to your point, while Boeing has World Class speed (and distance in his jumps), there is a difference between World Class numbers and being a World Class performer which is the final challenge. He's close but not quite there. He has time though. The decathlon angle is interesting.

[@andynaz5631]

I think the 400m is waiting for him.

[@michaelpeacock1481]

I think focusing on the 400m would be wrong, but he can keep running 400m relays just like now. Abbey Steiner also does it. Benefits the last 50m of the 200m, so everything good. He shoud just keep doing everything including the long jump in my opinion, but not the decathlon..no no no

[@robeigner4390]

Interesting idea about the decathlon. Found a decathlon scoring calculator using current scoring and this is what his three events would give him: 100m 9.98 1101pts long jump 8.25m 1125pts 400m 45.87 1015pts So far 3241. Four decathletes have gone over 9000 pts which means Boling would need to score at least 800pts in each of the other seven events to be even close to the world record. That would be tough but not impossible if he even knows how to do the other events. Here's what he'd need to do in the other events: shot put 15.16m (almost 50') high jump 1.99m (6'6") high hurdle 15.42 discus 46.58 (153') pole vault 4.63m (15'2") javelin 64.09m (210'+) 1500m 4:21.77 It used to be a decathlete was someone who was good at many events but not great. That's no longer the case if you want to be world class. You have to be really good at many events and great at the rest.

[@tracktalkja]

Nice break down

[@Gardener7]

Yes, I have looked at these points and am surprised that Bolings coach has not encouraged him down this path. His best high jump was already over 2m in high school, and he's got experience in pole vault. He has tremendous stamina so I think he would do well in 1500m. And also I predict he could score over 1000 points in hurdles. He would surely breeze into the Olympics team, and have a good shot at the decathlon WR.

[@MrTRUTHFIVE]

Poll vault, discus, shot are not easy events and hurdles. No way he's going to master. Can't see it because, I've coach it and done it!

[@laboriousTwala]

Exactly 🤷🏽‍♂️ these guys mentioning Decathlon are literally being super unrealistic 😒💔

[@123wmc]

I heard first hand he could high jump 6'10" at a young age. Long jump is a difficult skill and it would make learning pole vault easy. If you coached, you know that someone that has Matt's leg turnover has the same upper body speed. Discus and shot put are more about speed than power. The mile for a world class 400 sprinter would be so easy to add to his skill set. You cannot coach speed which every track expert see that Matt is special but Matt seems to lack the extra special that each event requires. That says decathlon. The best decathlon athletes in the usa have no chance against Matt's world class speed and long jump. To suggest he cannot learn a few throwing events is silly. Matt is no Johnny Hustle. He was the most dominate college 200m runner in 30 years because he is consistent and stable. Lot's of "flavor of the month" sprinters challenge him and they come and go. Again...this stability and consistency says "go for more". More is the decathlon and many decathlon champions were not fulltime decathlon champions at 22. He has years to master a few skills and he could be the best ever. Sadly...he will not because he seems to be lost in what he wants and his coaches at Georgia have failed him.

[@t.s.9656]

Once he gets with a coach who has a stable of world class sprinters, his game will be taken to the next level.

[@jwellsmediainc.4593]

He should focus on the 200/400m and maybe the long jump. He has time to make the 100m.

[@calcobb442]

Boling will have to improve considerably to compete on the world stage at a high level....so many top sprinters rep the US team. He is 22, so there is time. His best event is the 200meters. It is the event he prefers. Time will tell if he is elite. Much has to do with coaching. I am a former sprinter. I wish my fellow grad the best.

[@123wmc]

I heard first hand he was actually amazing at high jump in middle school and he was a gifted football player at a young age so he is 100% the real deal all around athlete and perhaps he missed his calling to round out his jack of all trades in track and field and do decathlon. It is not too late for him. His field events would not need to be top 10 win when you roll up his insane speed and long jump. He would be great at high jump and hurdles. He would only need to be average in throwing field events. I did not forget pole vault....come on!!!....with his speed and long jump both world class, he would be an insanely good pole vaulter.

[@charlesprogs2328]

He can make the longjump team

[@norwolf4765]

Only this season will tell. The US is loaded in the 200m and 400m which I think are his best events and they have a number of 27 foot long jumpers which is his best distance. Just a matter of how things play out. He can turn pro after this season in college and at least make a good living with track.

[@wonDER1973]

He switched to the sprints because he would get injured in the high jump in junior multi-events. I think his best bet to make a US team is the long jump.

[@laboriousTwala]

Do you KNOW how much Depth the US long jump now has!? Let alone World Championship long jumping? In the National Indoor NCAA’s you needed +8.35m Just to get on the podium 😶. Those guys are NOT playing hide & seek, they would Scorch Boling in one fry! And that’s Collegiates, even if Boling made US LJ team for Olympics, he would literally be going there just to take pictures at the athletics village and Enjoy the Opening and closing ceremonies, because trust me, he would need all his prayers to be aligned just to make the Finals! You guys underestimate how much raw young talent is now present in the sport. the depth in Javaughn Harris is also another jumps Monster who still hasn’t peaked yet. Matthew’s only chance is to try to make the 400m US TOP 3, so that he can win a Group Relay medal at Olympics, Because trust me, there’s no way he’d even contest individual medal in it as well.

[@kyleessex6301]

I think he will end up with the 400 being his best event, based on his current progression, and split times. He hasn't trained a 400 open in a hot minute and his recent fitness and relaxation to his technique will serve him really well in the longer sprints. His first team will likely be a relay 4x4 only, but down the road could definitely pull off both relays and one or two open events, if his progression continues.

[@kyleessex6301]

while he may have had success in the decath, his many events is just 3/10 events on the docket for the decath.

[@tracktalkja]

Seems he is hell bent on the shorter sprints first though but lets see.

[@leedza]

He is an outstanding athlete but probably just outside of qualifying for the national team especially in the 100 and 200. Wouldn't be a bad bet doing decathlon

[@EDsavant]

He is good at 300 as well.

[@trinidadrodriquez876]

He’s ok in the 60 As well.

[@EDsavant]

@@trinidadrodriquez876 and he still young and can-long jump give a couple years

[@hannuvallin6155]

I think he could still switch to decathlon, it would take couple of years to become at least reasonably decent in pole vault, and javelin/discus/shot put are not that important for the total points. If he commits 100% to learning the new events I think he could be world class decathlete in 3-4 years.

[@ronricherson6685]

One thing I've noticed about decathletes is how smooth they are in each event. They are very smart about conserving energy and have great economy of motion and technique. Not sure MB has all that as well as the endurance; he seems to fade at the end of the season. But I'd love to see him try nonetheless

[@michaelpeacock1481]

I think he would be great at the decathlon, but I don't see the need for that. I propose that he focuses on the 100, 200 and long jump like Carl Lewis did. Then he has 3 shots at making the team 😀👍

[@louisdenny8119]

Yes why he dont.

[@davidhooper259]

He has to pick a lane and the 100/200 isn’t a choice after college. It’s either a long jump specialist or a 400 specialist. He is an elite 400 runner but only a top tier college runner in the 100/200. His mechanics are built for the 400. Watch his tape in slo-mo. His stride is textbook through 275m then he powers through it (signs of a shorter distance sprinter not trained for the 400)

[@davidjones-wr3pg]

Sprinting is the same as cycling. If you aren't on gear, and you can't beat the tests, you will not be in the conversation.

[@oliverchapman51177]

That second day, is where he needs to put in the work. Day one , he would probably be in the lead

[@TheBlkpilot]

Yeah if he doesn’t choke when he’s up against world class talent. He’s got speed but he ties up when the talent is as good as he is.

[@johnnythompson5361]

Nice commentary

[@slappy09]

Not fast enough!

[@rayre3617]

The decathlon seems a good probability, but has he ever tried the 800?

[@jamesmurphy1678]

Matthew should switch to the Decathalon ASAP. He may not make the Olympic team unless he switches to Decathalon. He likely could be a 3 or 4 time decathlon winner because he can take 1st in the 100m, 400m, long jump, and high jump. He really just needs to learn to throw and pole vault.

[@laboriousTwala]

You guys drastically underestimate decathletes like they are failed / sub-par specialists who decided to go general, to “stand a chance”. Those guys and girls are Gods of each and every event they do, and it literally takes YEARS for them to master some. That’s why most of them PB in their thirties! Each champion decathlete has a World Champion comparable event and usually it’s more than 2. Jessica Ennis Hill could’ve won the 2008 100mh with her 12.58 hurdles time in London, Katarina Johnson Thompson could’ve won the 2016 Rio HighJump with her 1.98m HJ at Rio. Kyle Garland posted a Monsterous indoor World Lead this year, go check all his events, all his points are World Class, even if boling did Decathlon it would take him almost a decade to Climb up to a standard that other strong decathletes his age have now, Kyle Garland jumps 2.18m outdoor. Then throws a +18m shot put, you don’t understand how much RANGE that takes! Ayden Owens Delerme runs a 45sec FLAT 400m, then runs a lower 13sec 110mh, and that doesn’t even factor in his Strong 1500m. Those 2 guys alone would SCORCH Boling on Decathlon for a whole decade if he decided to try. Every ‘Champion’ Decathlete, could literally leave Decathlon and STILL become World Champion in one of their event! That’s how much RANGE the TOP decathletes have.

[@123wmc]

@@laboriousTwala uhhh...time out. track and field is not emotional. Matt is faster at 100, 200, 300, and 400 than any decathlete every...in history. His long jump is longer than any decathlete. He jumped 6'10" in high jump in MIDDLE SCHOOL. His leg turnover has been clocked and it is insane...maybe one of the quickest ever and that means his upper body speed is super fast that suggests he could throw a javelin, discus, and shot put extremely well. I am 100% that with his top end speed and world class long jump that the pole vault would be stupid easy to learn. Matt is no sub par track and field dude. He would be in the Olympic finals in the 100, 200, 400 and long jump with any nation but the USA because the USA right now has the best track and field talent male and female in 40 years. He just happens to be part of the greatest talent of track and field since the 1980s so it makes sense to find a niche....."stand a chance"....???

[@dajosco115]

His technique is holding him back. When he was in HS I would have bet the house he would go to Houston with Carl and LeRoy. Wish he had. When he went to Georgia I assimed he was headed for decathalon. Fix his technique and he makes 100 thru 400.and LJ. Carl Lewis 2.0

[@tracktalkja]

Hmmm interesting view. I have actually heard a coach say something similar to this.

[@jamescareyyatesIII]

I hope he makes the team, but as a gambler I would bet against it.

[@MrSig-ye8hq]

To the headline and the opening question. No

[@Ghoster311]

Boling would probably be best as a 200/400 guy like Michael Johnson. The money in track is in the sprints. Not the long jump or the decathlon. If he can go 9.9 low and 19.7 something this year he will be right on track as a 22 year old collegiate sprinter for a big payday when he turns pro.

[@littlebobbystrong4143]

Boling is a beast but he still tends to tense up in his shoulders, neck and face. Maybe he needs yoga lessons to learn relaxation.

[@rickpascual4340]

Only if he represents another country

[@socman3988]

Boling should be doing 400m, LJ or Decathlon. He can not compete with the current talents in the world right now, 100m and 200m is stacked with freaking amazing talents in the US and world.

[@mikearndt2217]

4X400, possibly open 400m

[@trinidadrodriquez876]

200 and 100. Once he peaks at that 400 and long jump.

[@reddogqb123]

You must not know anything about track and field he has no chance of making a 100 and 200 team even if he takes steroids. The fact that he has no left college yet let's you know he is milking it as long as possible

[@ronald8792]

It would be hard for anyone on the planet to make the team but to Bolings credit he has already been on the national team, as you can see on your thumbnail.

[@ItsJustStevesWorld]

There's a huge difference between making the U20 Worlds and U20 Pan Am Games national team, and making the Senior National Team. At the 2021 Olympic Trials, couldn't get out of the semis in the 100 or 200. 2022 he made the finals in the 200, but wasn't even close to threatening for a national team bid.

[@ronald8792]

@@ItsJustStevesWorld Boling has answered the call everytime a KZbinr has set a goal for him, I dont expect making the national team to be any different.

[@ItsJustStevesWorld]

@@ronald8792 So you’re saying the reason that he didn’t make the team for the 2022 Worlds in Eugene was because no KZbinr set him a goal to make the team, not because he wasn’t fast enough?

[@ronald8792]

@@ItsJustStevesWorld There will be more chances for Boling to make the national team, dont trip on the past.

[@truth8508]

Boling ran what appears to be a 43 split on the 4x400 at Texas Relays. If that keeps up in outdoor then he may well make the 4x4.

[@tracktalkja]

His splits are always way more impressive than his flat times. I dont think he can make the 400m team unless he puts more focus there.

[@truth8508]

@@tracktalkja We'll see. As you know it's very hard to maintain 400 times. It's a few years at the top level. I would say Bryce and Matt could have a run off. I think he'd give Champion a run too.

[@richardcrowley8202]

I like to see Matt in the 400 but he will probably be better in the 200

[@rickpascual4340]

Unfortunately not. Too much talent ahead of him

[@CapOnyx1177]

He needs to run the 400. 100m he should just cross off the list, he strains too much

[@johnnystewart83]

400 meters.

[@statictech7]

His coaches ran him in too many events. Im so disappointed in his program. You have to specialize. You cant get faster running 6 events at every meet in the crazy amount of meets they go to each season. It really sucks how they played him.

[@jermaineayivoh8263]

You misunderstand the purpose of college athletics in the US. The Collegiate system couldn’t give a damn about turning athletes into the best athletes they could possibly be in a chosen event, what they want is to make athletes the best within the collegiate system only. The purpose for each college is use their athletes talents to acquire as many points as possible to beat the other colleges, that’s about it. The whole collegiate system runs in opposition to an athlete performing their best at the world championship or Olympic competition. Most college athletes peak during the months of March-June when the bulk of the college meets are held. By the time the world level competition come around, the college athletes have run so many competitions, that they are usually off boil and don’t come close to their personal bests that they ran during the college part of the season. Another indicator that the college system doesn’t give a damn about turning athletes into the best pro’s ? Once you sign a pro contract, you are no longer allowed to compete at the collegiate level. That tells you all you really need to know.

[@mvj1960]

Prefer him in the Long Jump and 200M

[@OslerWannabe]

If I were Boling I'd just concede the reality that he does not have the two advantages men from West Africa have -- a very high proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers, and the extremely low body fat of someone from the equator. A few exceptions exist -- Pietro Mennea from the Po Valley, which is another fast twitch genetic hot spot; Alan Wells from a similar pocket in Scotland; and Valeriy Borzov, from another such pocket in Ukraine. Boling will just have to be content with being the fastest Caucasian in the world, puttiing him behind about 10 West Africam descendants. If I were him, I'd cash in on his likely more modest muscle fiber proportion, lose 10 lb. and take up the 800. He likely has greater endurance than West Africans, but still has elite speed. Ideal 800 runner.

[@mssha1980]

There’s a white guy from France that was faster

[@HulaLogic]

such as narrow minded comment. u dont run sub 10 like Boiling has without elite fast twitch genetics. Yes west Africans on average have more fast twitch muscles, but this doesn't mean non west africans on less common occasions can have the same. If not being west african suddenly meant you can't have elite fast twitch muscles fibres then boiling, lematire, su bingtang would have never run near sub 10. West africans on average are faster sprinters, but it serves no point when determining someones genetics as outliers happen all the time.

[@khumokwezimashapa2245]

@@mssha1980 Le TGV aka Christophe Lemaitre

[@jamesgeorge65]

Yep, whites are at such a disadvantage vs blacks in sprint distances. Yes, there are exceptions, but very few.

[@tracktalkja]

Interesting take.

[@SDesWriter]

People are clueless and constantly try to push this argument. They have no idea how good he would be in at least four important events, and he's inconsistent in his long jump which could kill a decathlete who depends on points in an event like that (and only gets 3 attempts). The guy has the fastest indoor 200m time in the world 3 years in a row, is in the top 3 of the NCAA outdoor his first two seasons, and made the finals of the world championship US trials last year. He's also a sub 45 400-meter Runner and a top 10 100-meter Runner. But yeah, give that all up and start training for an event that you're not big enough for, that you're not experienced enough for, and that is already populated by great all-around athletes. Just stupid

[@mssha1980]

Indoor doesn’t matter outside

[@tracktalkja]

lol You realize the title says should he 'HAVE DONE' the decathlon. Appreciate the feedback though.

[@SDesWriter]

@@tracktalkja sorry, wasn't name calling you, annoyed that this comes up in every chat and no one puts forward an actual argument with facts, only that he's really good in 3 events and looks muscular so therefore must be a natural for it. As an undersized decathlete who specialized in the 100m, 400m & LJ, I promise that it's infinitely harder if you haven't already mastered all 10 events before college even starts.

[@SDesWriter]

@@mssha1980 it does if the best runners in the world are doing it and you're beating them. It says you're in their class. It doesn't hurt that he's already a 19.89 Runner Outdoors as well and made the finals in the US trials Last Summer. Put him in a decathlon and he would get crushed a staggering amount of points

[@michaelpeacock1481]

Agreed..The decathlon is a different beast. Normally for tall big guys.

[@acct5910]

Nope.

[@steviesly7908]

HE IS FAST 4 A WHITE DUDE) HE WILL BE ON USA TEAM BECAUSE IT IS HIS TIME)

[@tracktalkja]

for which event?

[@steviesly7908]

RELAY) WHICH ONE I DON'T NO THAT WILL BE UP 2 HIM)

[@deepelements]

People were saying this dude would beat Usain Bolt's time with his running style and he got smashed by the elites.

[@isitrachelorj3953]

Nobody ever said he would smash Usain's times. Be a hater, but be honest about it.

[@VeridicusMaximus]

No one but ignorant trolls on twitter and YT.

[@ronald8792]

Nobody ever said that. Quit lying

[@michaelpeacock1481]

Seriously 😂

[@ben10universe30]

He not entirely lying. you know how social media is they see someone run fast and the first thing they start to say is yep he's the next Usain bolt or mark my words he gonna break the world record but I've never seen someone post a video saying he's gonna break the record it's always people in comment sections that say it but obviously Matthew is a great athlete otherwise his name wouldn't be popping up in the media this much and as a jamaican🇯🇲 junior athlete I have nothing but respect for Matthew 👍

[@jeffreyfisher6231]

400

[@reddogqb123]

😂😂😂😂 there is no way he can make a 100 or 200 team literally impossible the man is 23 this is already considered old for track and field

[@tracktalkja]

He is 22 and 23 is certainly not old in any sport for that matter.

[@HulaLogic]

23 aint old. This shows your clueless and clearly just dont support boiling. Tell me how many sprinters run their career PB at 23. Exactly, barely any. DUmb comment

[@twintopper8659]

NOPE