June 25, 2005

Dennis Bowsher Wins Men’s Title at the 2005 U.S. National Penatathlon Championships

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Dennis Bowsher (Colorado Springs, Colo.) compiled 5.404 points to capture his first National Championships title today as the men wrapped up competition at the 2005 U.S. National Pentathlon Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo. Bowsher, who has only been competing in the sport since January of 2003, was joined on the medal stand by Niul Manske (silver/5,188 points) and Terris Tiller (bronze/5,064 points), both of Colorado Springs.

“It feels pretty good to win my first national championship, I’m excited,” said Bowsher. “I didn’t think I would get to this level this soon. My goal, of course, coming into this sport is to eventually make the Olympic team, winning this Championship just brings me that much closer.”

Modern Pentathlon, an Olympic event since 1912, encompasses the five sports of shooting, fencing, swimming, riding (equestrian) and running. Pentathletes start by shooting 20 shots with an air pistol at a distance of ten meters. The fencing competition is one touch, round-robin. Following fencing, the pentathletes take a dip in the pool to swim 200 meters freestyle. Pentathletes also compete in riding and running. Riding is equestrian show jumping consisting of clearing 15 obstacles while riding a horse drawn from a pool of competition horses. The running is a cross country race

The 2005 U.S. National Pentathlon Championships will conclude tomorrow, Sunday, June 26 with the junior and senior women’s competition. The competition will take place in three separate venues. The United States Olympic Training Complex will be the venue for shooting, fencing and swimming. Riding will be contested at the Penrose Equestrian Center and running will take place at Bear Creek Park for the junior and senior divisions. The event is open and free to the public.

The competition schedule is as follows:

Sunday, June 26 – Junior and Senior Women

Time Event Location

8:00 a.m. Shooting U.S. Olympic Training Complex (USA Shooting Building)

9:30 a.m. Fencing U.S. Olympic Training Complex (USA Shooting Building)

12:50 p.m. Swimming U.S. Olympic Training Complex (Aquatics Center)

3:00 p.m. Running Bear Creek Park

4:55 p.m. Riding Penrose Equestrian Center

6:00 p.m. Award Ceremony Penrose Equestrian Center

Results

U.S. Men’s Senior Division:

Name Hometown Total Points

Dennis Bowsher Colorado Springs, Colo. 5,404

Niul Manske Colorado Springs, Colo. 5,188

Terris Tiller Colorado Springs, Colo. 5,064

Eli Bremer Colorado Springs, Colo. 4,748

Gary Daniels Palm Springs, Calif. 3,676

Kevin Montford Everett, Wash. 3,436

Results

U.S. Men’s Junior Division:

Name Hometown Total Points

Sam Sacksen Somerset, Pa. 4,896

Will Brady Howell, Mich. 4,600

Ben Sacksen Somerset, Pa. 3,840

Laurance Goodwin Pittstown, N.J. 3,576

Theodore Lauzen Aurora, Ill. 3,528

Jenkins Dove Flint Hill, Va. 3,304

Results

International Men’s Senior Competitors:

Name Country Total Points

Tik Maynard Canada 5,188

Sergio Sanchez Guatemala 4,856

Jesus Abreu Dominican Republic 4,444

Franklin Diaz Dominican Republic 4,232

Gabriel Perrone Ecuador 3,784

Results

International Men’s Junior Competitors:

Name Hometown Total Points

Pedro Gonzalez Guatemala 4,680

Alex Hernandez Dominican Republic 4,648

For more information, please contact the USOC Media & Public Relations Division at 719-866-4529. This press release is also available on the USOC’s media specific website at www.usocpressbox.org.