Armed Forces Modern Pentathlon Team Places 5th In Relay At World Military Championship

Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic - The U.S. Armed Forces team clinched fifth place in the relay competition and sixth place overall at the 34th Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Military Modern Pentathlon Championship held June 24 - July 1, 2002 in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. The United States competed against military teams from 14 countries including last year's champion, Italy.

The U.S. team featured Spc. Scott Christie (U.S. Army, Fort Carson, Colo.), Lt. Nuil Manske (U.S. Army, Fort Carson, Colo.), Lt. Eli Bremer (U.S. Air Force, Schriever Air Base, Colo.), Lt. Anita Allen (U.S. Army, Fort Carson, Colo.), Spc. Michelle Kelly (U.S. Army, Fort Carson, Colo.), and Officer Cadet Lara Hammerich (U.S. Army, Fort Carson, Colo.). The team coach was Mr.
Janusz Peciak, an Olympic gold medallist in the Modern Pentathlon.

"The team did an exceptional job representing the U.S. military and in demonstrating the CISM motto of 'Friendship Through Sport,' said Col. (ret.) Dennis Behrens, Chief of Mission, "without question they were the best disciplined team in attendance."

Christie finished first for the men's team coming across the line 19th out of 32 competitors and a score of 5156. Manske was in 23rd place and Lt. Bremer in 26th place.

Allen led for the women, finishing in 6th place and a score of 4916, Kelly was in 7th and Hammerisch in 8th place.

"This is a young team", stated Behrens "I give them high marks for their performance considering their very limited experience at the international level."

The "Sportsmanship Trophy" was presented to the U.S. women's team for their conduct and display of fairness in competition.

Armed Forces Sports is one of many morale, welfare and recreation programs the Department of Defense provides service members and their families worldwide.