Bronze at Nationals!

Nationals came up quickly but I was excited to be back and competing in my fourth US Pentathlon Nationals!

Shortly after the qualifier competition I switched to the French grip in fencing. This style of grip has less control than the pistol grip, but slightly more length for the blade with style of the handle. This was my first competition with the new grip and I did not do as well as I had hoped. Thankfully, I had a great swim and was only one second off of my personal best from last year. I also had a good ride with only a few time penalties.

 With my low fencing score, I was in 7^th place after the first three events which meant that I would have to run hard to move up and make a spot on the podium. To secure a spot of the Senior and Junior World Championships team I would need to be in the top four at least.

 My shooting was good on the first two rounds and I moved up to third place on the second lap of the running portion. I was able to stay strong on the hilly course and remain in third position for a finish on the podium as well as a spot on the Senior World Championships team! As a Junior I finished in 2^nd place and a spot on the Junior World Championships team!

For only being 8 months out of surgery I was very happy with my performance and ability to come back with a successful performance. I know there is still a long way for me to go and the work doesn’t stop here, but to have my hip healthy again is a great feeling!

 

Junior Worlds will be at the end of July in Hungary and Senior Worlds will be in August in Taiwan. I am looking forward to competing internationally again as well as going to some new countries that I have never been to before!