Madison’s Damien Duckworth is an all-around athlete

Most track athletes spend countless hours mastering a single event, but Madison senior Damien Duckworth has never limited himself to just one event.

From soaring through the sand in the long jump to clearing hurdles and anchoring relays, Duckworth has made versatility his signature, qualifying for the regional meet in five events and establishing himself as one of the most dynamic athletes in 5A.

“I don’t take any chance for granted,” said Duckworth. “I’m forever humble about the success I’ve achieved.”

Duckworth advanced to the Area meet after earning five first-place finishes at the district meet. He then punched his ticket to regionals in all five events: first in the long jump (22-3), third in the triple jump (44-5.5), second in the 300-meter hurdles (40.06), second in the 4×100-meter relay (42.47), and fourth in the 4×200-meter relay (1:30.35).

For Duckworth, competing at a high level in five events can feel like controlled chaos.

“Having the ability to turn on a switch for jumping, then double back, turn on another switch for hurdling, and relay running is a gift from God,” said Duckworth.

Madison track coach Kevin Simon understands how rare that is. It’s not every day an athlete qualifies for the regional meet in five events, let alone excels in all five.

“Being the best in multiple disciplines is only part of it,” said Simon. “The athlete also has to manage a heavy workload, maintain high performance across event types, and navigate potential scheduling conflicts.”

Duckworth’s ability to advance across all five events highlights his versatility, endurance, and competitive consistency.

“Damien’s ability to handle such a demanding workload stems from his exceptional work ethic and mental toughness,” said Simon. “While many athletes shut down when things get difficult, Damien does the opposite. He’s the kind of athlete who asks whether the weight room can be opened at 6:30 am so he can put in extra work. That drive to improve, even when no one is watching, is what enables him to compete at a high level across multiple events.”

But Duckworth’s seamless transitions between events didn’t happen overnight. They’re the result of years of development across multiple disciplines, beginning with the 300-meter hurdles.

“Coming into high school, I told my coach I knew how to run hurdles,” said Duckworth. “After my coach saw that I had a fast-learning mindset, he gave me a chance at the triple jump my freshman year, which led me to compete in the long jump my sophomore year.”

From hurdles to jumps to sprints, Duckworth believes the 300-meter hurdles is the most difficult event to master.

“The 300-meter hurdles force you to learn which foot to start with in the blocks and to time your hurdle jumps, all while maintaining your endurance,” said Duckworth.

Managing practices for an athlete competing in so many events requires careful planning.

“To manage such a heavy event load, Damien’s practices are structured for purpose and efficiency,” said Simon. “We focus on hurdle technique during athletics on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:00–3:45 PM. Long jump work is incorporated into Tuesday’s after-school practice, and triple jump is emphasized on Thursday after he finishes his running and relay sessions.”

For sprint work, Duckworth typically trains with hurdles in his lane, allowing him to develop speed and technique simultaneously. This structure keeps his workload balanced while giving each event the attention it needs.

Still, the schedule has its challenges.

“One of the biggest challenges comes on days when weather or scheduling forces contingency plans,” said Simon. “Damien might have to make a jump attempt, notify the official that he needs to leave for a race, and then sprint straight to the starting line, literally going from one event to the next with no downtime. Whenever he starts to feel the strain or thinks about complaining, I remind him that this ability to push through and stay composed is exactly what makes him special.”

That foundation has translated into results this season, with Duckworth not just participating but excelling.

“I believe the triple jump best showcases Damien’s strengths because it’s a multifaceted event that demands speed, power, coordination, and the ability to make quick adjustments,” said Simon. “Those qualities align perfectly with who he is as an athlete, and the event highlights his versatility and natural explosiveness.”

While the results speak for themselves, maintaining that level of performance across multiple events requires more than physical ability; it demands focus and effective time management.

“With multiple events on the same day, I mentally reset by treating my events like changing school subjects,” said Duckworth. “In the triple jump, I know I have to focus on my bounding. In the long jump, I have to get a great approach. In hurdles, I know I have to keep the same number of steps between hurdles, and in relays, I have to be mindful that I’m sharing a lane.”

“I don’t take any chance for granted… I’m forever humble about the success I’ve achieved.”

Damien Duckworth

Duckworth’s ability to compartmentalize each event has become the foundation for his consistency across a demanding schedule.

“That balance requires maturity and commitment most athletes never develop,” said Simon. “Through it all, his response is always the same: ‘Yessir, I got you, Coach.’ That reliability and respect speak volumes about the kind of young man he is.”

That discipline becomes even more important as the stakes rise heading into regionals.

“I have unfinished business heading into the Regional meet,” said Duckworth. “For me, this season’s unfinished business is breaking all the goals I set and showing coaches that I have the talent to compete at the next level.”

That mindset fuels his drive as he looks beyond personal goals toward a milestone that would define his season. 

“Words can’t explain what it would mean to be a state qualifier,” said Duckworth. “Being a state qualifier is something that will live with me, something I can add to my achievements. I would feel that I showed the people who rooted for me that they weren’t wasting their time.”

Whether he’s sprinting down the track, clearing hurdles, or jumping into sand pits, Duckworth has never been defined by a single event. At regionals, that versatility may be his greatest advantage.

“Damien is the kind of athlete we hope every Madison student-athlete strives to become,” said Simon. “He’s quiet, humble, and dependable, the kind who shows up, leads by example, and simply gets the job done. His legacy is one of versatility and excellence. He was the District Utility Player of the Year in football, and track became another stage where he proved that when he’s focused, there’s nothing he can’t do.”