Double Duty Decathlete

By Allen Lessels
UNH Insider

Tired and sore after compiling a career-best effort in the always-grueling decathlon at the America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships early this month, University of New Hampshire senior Brian Genet of Merrimack, N.H., did what came naturally to him at least: He signed up for another decathlon the next weekend.

He did decathlon double duty.

Truth is, Genet wasn't totally happy with a performance that earned him fourth place at the America East Championships at Vermont.

"It wasn't exactly what I was looking for," he said. "It wasn't up to my standards. I did OK, but I was looking to do better."

He did.

Genet went to the New England Outdoor Track & Field Championships the next weekend at Bryant University and boosted his point total by 177 points to post another career—best with 5,886 points for sixth place.

His main goal, he said afterwards, was just to finish and he was happy with how it all turned out.

"I had barely recovered from the week before," he said. "So I didn't have high expectations going into it."

On the Tuesday night in between decathlons, Genet picked up the top award in athletics at UNH when he was named the male winner of the Jim Urquhart Student-Athlete Award at the school's 4th Annual Senior Showcase and A Night at the WESPYs at Lundholm Gymnasium.

The Urquhart Award recognizes the most outstanding senior athlete for the year, based on athletic success, community involvement and academic achievement.

Director of Athletics Marty Scarano presenting Brian Genet with the Urquhart Student-Athlete of the Year Award at the WESPYs (Photo by Gil Talbot).

Robert Hoppler, UNH's director of men's and women's track & field and cross country, said Genet's decision to double down on the decathlon – meaning he competed in 20 events over the course of eight days – fit with his approach to his Wildcat career.

"That's very rigorous and not something that most people are capable of doing," Hoppler said. "It really speaks to his toughness – his mental toughness – as much as physical endurance. It's a testament to what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it. It says something about his time here at UNH. He's had success because he has put his mind to it. He's a good athlete and he has decided to be real good by having track be important to him and putting in the work. He's dedicated and he's tough."

An environmental engineer major, Genet worked with PFAS, so-called "forever chemicals" because they are everywhere and take a long time to break down, as part of his senior project.

He's planning to return to UNH as a grad student next year and compete again.

The decathlon features the 100 meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400 meter dash, 110 hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500.

As a result, Genet works with all of UNH's coaches in his various event.

"Brian is just amazing," said Anna Magle-Haberek, who specializes in the jumping disciplines. "He's the kid I want my son to grow up to be like. He's just so dedicated and focused. He puts his whole heart into every competition he does and his training. He's enthusiastic and very coachable and when he does well he glows, he gets so excited. He's really fun to work with. He shows up to practice every day and wants to get better."

Genet competing at the 2019 America East Indoor Championships (Photo by Matthew Troisi).

All the coaches rave about him as a teammate and competitor.

"He works hard to be there for his teammates and he helps the team all he can," Magle-Haberek said. "That's all you can ask of someone, really."

A team captain, Genet has the respect of all.

"He's just a terrific person and I think his teammate across the board love him," Hoppler said. "He does a great job of combining working very hard with having fun and being optimistic and positive, Brian's the kid everyone wants to hang out with on the team. He's a good, positive guy."

Assistant coach Casey Carroll noted Genet's willingness to help others while nominating him for the Urquhart Award.

Genet at the 2022 America East Indoor Championships (Photo by Brian Foley).

"On the days I have to post a written workout, Brian not only does the workout, but can also lead a practice with others on the team," Carroll wrote. "If there's a part of practice that is new to a freshman, he can effectively teach that new drill or activity to them."

Genet was not recruited to the track team.

He played football and competed on the track & field team at Merrimack High School and knew he wanted to compete in college.

"I couldn't play football here because I'm not big enough, so I figured I might as well come and see what I could do with track," he said. "I had done the decathlon in high school."

He enjoyed the decathlon and its multiple challenges and tasks from the moment he was introduced to it as a sophomore in high school and won the New Hampshire decathlon championship as a senior.

Genet with his teammates Kevin McGrath and Michael Monahan at the WESPYs.

"My favorite event is the long jump, then the 400 and the pole vault," Genet said. "I like being aggressive in the long jump. You get one opportunity to sprint and see how far you can jump. The 400 I like to look at it as a strong man race. You just sprint from the start and see how far you can go, hold on to see how far you can push your body. In the pole vault I like to spring myself into the air and try not to die."

He's just kidding about the last part.

"The pole vault is definitely a wildcard," Genet said. "It's just the adrenalin rush of flinging yourself in the air 11 feet and falling back down on the mat. That's what I enjoy."

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