Staff writer
Centre High School junior Theo Kassebaum participated Thursday in a pentathlon at Wichita State University. The event was announced as the first high school pentathlon in Kansas history. It was part of the Shocker Pre-State Classic track meet.
Six girls competed. Kassebaum was the only contestant from a 1A school. The other five were from 6A schools.
Kassebaum took third place in the pentathlon and earned a medal. Two girls, including the winner, were from Hutchinson High School, two from Maize High School, and one from Campus High School in Haysville.
A boys pentathlon was held at the same time, with 12 competitors from 5A and 6A schools.
The multi-event competition winners were determined by the number of points accumulated in all events.
Following are Kassebaum‘s marks and points:
100-meter hurdles — 16.78, 622 points.
High jump — 4-4.25, 439 points.
Shot put — 21-0.25, 297 points.
Long jump — 15-4.25, 474 points.
800-meter run — 3:04.41, 325 points.
Total points: 2,157.
Kassebaum had the best marks in the 100-meter hurdles and long jump and set personal records in those events. She also established a new personal record in the 800-meter run, though she has not competed in that event since seventh grade.
Kassebaum said she had little more than 30-minute breaks between events. The last event, the 800 run, was delayed for a half hour because of lightning. She participated in shot put for the first time.
Kassebaum was accompanied by her track coach Alan Stahlecker.
“I competed in the 10-event decathlon when I was in college,” Stahlecker said, “so I found it quite enjoyable to watch one of the athletes I coach compete in the multi-event competition. She competed very well and I am proud of her efforts.”
Kassebaum said she decided to enter the competition to make up for a regular track meet she will miss in May because of participation in another school activity.
“It was different than a normal track meet,” Kassebaum said of the pentathlon. “I had a lot of fun doing it.”