Columbia-Greene Media is reporting Neil Howard III, a rising sophomore from Taconic Hills High School has earned All-American status and set a state freshman record, competing in his first decathlon event at the US Track and Field Junior Olympic Championships in Jacksonville, Florida, last week. He earned his All-American status with 6,316 points, 505 points more than the second-place finisher in the 15 and 16 age division. Howard competed during a record heatwave in Jacksonville with high humidity, ninety-degree temperatures and a severe weather delay. “I knew I was going to have to work hard coming into the meet because I had only ever done the events individually, but the heat was a factor that made conditions more difficult,” he said. Howard is coached by his father, Taconic Hills Superintendent Neil Howard Jr., during the summer and off season. He has his sights set on competing in the decathlon at high school outdoor nationals next summer. Howard has been invited to compete at the New York Millrose Games Junior Pole Vault competition in January at the New Balance Armory in New York City. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.