Port Jeff’s First Ever All-American Decathlete

Senior Thomas Bove became the first decathlete in school history to be named all-American after an impressive fourth place finish in the National Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Greensboro N.C. held on June 16 and 17.

"Tom is an amazing athlete," said Port Jefferson school Athletic Director Deb Ferry. "His personal best, a 12-foot, 11-inch pole vault helped rally his score, making him the first All-American Decathlete to have come from Port Jefferson High School."

Rod Cawley, who coaches Port Jefferson’s boys’ track and field team, also spoke proudly about the Royals star.

“Tom is an extremely gifted and hardworking young man," said Cawley. "He is admired and respected by all of his teammates and he’s called 'The Ninja' by the members of his team because of his athletic abilities."

He said that Bove was "a varsity track athlete for three years and he is the best overall athlete in the 117 year history of the school district."

Bove was all-state in the pentathlon this past spring and set a new school record with 3,199 points. He was also all-county and all-league in both the spring and winter seasons.

In winter track he was second in Suffolk County in the long jump with a school record jump of 22-feet, three-inches. He finished seventh in New York State during the winter in the long jump.

"He was also the most valuable athlete and the team captain during spring track," said Cawley.

Bove is well known and respected by athletes all across Suffolk County and his coach said that Port Jefferson school is losing a great star.

"He will be sorely missed by the coaching staff and the remaining athletes on the team," he said. "Tom is irreplaceable as far as we're concerned."