<\/p>\n
Fourteen-year-old Mancos resident Teslin Stecher is making a name for himself in the Olympic sport of pentathlon.<\/p>\n
Competing in the Modern Pentathlon Youth National Championships in Colorado Springs on July 5-6, Stecher finished fourth in the division for 13- and 14-year-olds.<\/p>\n
The eighth-grader became interested in modern pentathlon \u2013 which combines fencing, swimming, running, shooting and horse jumping \u2013 just over a year ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was swimming, running and fencing,\u201d said Stecher. \u201cI watched a national (modern pentathlon) competition and joined after that.\u201d<\/p>\n
To prepare for competition, Stecher practices seven times a week with the Durango Swim Club, runs with members of the Mancos High School cross-country team and practices shooting on his own.<\/p>\n
Stecher is also a member of the Durango Fencing Club, where he spends about two hours per week practicing his skills with a sword.<\/p>\n
Stecher also trains with his father, Marty Stecher, who is a member of the Durango Fencing Club.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like being on the defensive,\u201d said Stecher. \u201cI placed 10th overall in the fencing regardless of age group at the (Modern Pentathlon Youth National Championships).\u201d<\/p>\n
When not practicing for modern pentathlon competitions, Stecher downhill skis and surfs on the Animas River.<\/p>\n
A home-schooled student who enjoys math, Stecher hopes to compete in the 2016 Junior Olympics, as well as other large national competitions.<\/p>\n
Are the Olympics in his sights? Stecher remains unsure, but he indicated that testing his skills against the best modern pentathletes in the world would be a special experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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